May 23, 2000 / The Montreal Gazette / Catherine Solyom
Two protesters armed with warning stickers were, according to this story, arrested inside a supermarket yesterday when they tried to label so-called "Frankenfoods" themselves.
The story says that the Provigo on Park Ave. near Sherbrooke St., Montreal, closed its doors after police alerted it to the demonstration but the two protesters were already inside. One was charged with refusing to leave, the other with vandalism.
About 40 protesters were cited as saying they were forced to take action because the government won't. They question the safety of 43 genetically modified organisms approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that are increasingly present in all kinds of food, from tomatoes to breakfast cereals.
Pascal Gomes, 28 was quoted as saying, "The government has not done enough tests on these products to prove that there's no risk to health or the environment. And once they're in the environment, it's virtually impossible to get rid of them."
The story adds that in the absence of safety checks, protesters demanded mandatory labeling on all products that contain GMOs. Canada is not the only one grappling with this issue. Two weeks ago, the United Nations body that sets international standards for trade in food failed to reach an agreement on how to label GMOs, referring the issue back to a committee headed by Canada for study.
In the meantime, protesters vowed to label products themselves. They continued their campaign outside the store, approaching shoppers with grocery bags to show them which products most likely contained GMOs.
Rene Fournier, 28, offered up his groceries for inspection; most were promptly labeled. Fournier was a little skeptical that so many had GMOs, but was supportive of the activists' efforts.
Other people at the site held similar views. "I don't think anybody really knows what long-term effects might come from eating those things," said Scott Rattee, 27.
Not everyone was supportive, however. "If you listen to everything, you're afraid to eat, afraid to drink, you can't live any more," said one shopper who was waiting for the store to reopen.
(posted without permission)
