Reuters | December 21, 1999
CAPE TOWN - South African retail chain Woolworths was cited as saying in a statement on Tuesday it had decided to remove all known genetically modified (GM) foods from its shelves until they were proven safe, adding, "The current situation with regard to GE (genetically engineered) food in South Africa is unsatisfactory. Woolworths have stated their intention to remove genetically engineered food from their shelves. GE food is already on our supermarket shelves, but we have no legislation that forces companies to label the products that contain GE ingredients."
The decision, taken after a meeting between company management and members of the South African Federation Against Genetic Engineering (SAFEAGE), makes Woolworths the first South African retailer to take that stance.
South Africa has implemented a Genetically Modified Organisms Act, but it is aimed predominantly at protecting the environment and does not cover labelling of food.
Dr Theo van de Venter, director of food control at the department of health was quoted as saying, "I am not aware of any unsafe genetically modified food on our shelves," and that his department was working with the department of agriculture and other role players in drawing up legislation that was practical and enforceable, stating, "We do not have a final set of regulations that are ready to present to the politicians but we are consulting widely. We are trying to encourage industry to do voluntary labelling where they can, but we are under pressure to come up with something pretty soon."
