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variety of foods marked ‘organic’ or ‘GM-free’
sold in the United Kingdom have been found to contain genetically
modified (GM) ingredients. Researchers found that out of 25
organic or health food products that should have been GM-free,
10 contained GM soy.
The United States and Argentina, two of the largest soy producers
in the world, produce mostly GM soy, and GM-free crops are
often mixed with GM crops after harvesting. Further, seeds
that are supposed to be GM-free can contain from 1 percent
to 2 percent GM varieties. Over 60 percent of processed foods
sole in supermarkets contain soy ingredients.
The Soil Association, which is responsible for handing out
"organic" labels in the United Kingdom, limits the
amount of GM material allowed in organic foods at 0.1 percent.
However, researchers found that some products contained up
to 0.7 percent GM material. The association is "hurriedly"
reviewing their procedures as a result.
Researchers suggest that it will become increasingly difficult
to keep organic products GM-free, and even say that the problem
will be 10 times worse in just one year.
Nature
February 6, 2004
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