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Most soya products genetically modified, group says

A whopping 60 percent of soya bean products are genetically modified, but none of them bear clear labeling, a consumer advocacy group said yesterday after releasing the results of a survey.

The 20 samples, including soybean milk, dried bean curd and tofu, were collected from Taipei City's supermarkets, convenience stores, food stands and night markets, the Consumers' Foundation said.

According to regulations stipulated by the Department of Health, starting Jan. 1 last year, foods containing over 5 percent of GM components, such as soy beans and corn, must be clearly marked on the label so that consumers would be better informed before making a purchase decision.

Despite the alarming ratio revealed in the survey, soya bean product-lovers can apparently trust the major manufacturers.

Well-known brands of packaged products, such as I-Mei Foods Co, Uni-President Enterprises Corp and Kuang-Chuan Co -- with labels indicating that they are not genetically modified -- ? live up to their reputation, as no GM foods were detected, said foundation chairman Jason Lee (李鳳翱).

In stark contrast, all the GM products discovered in the survey hail from traditional outlets, including soybean milk from Ssu Hai Soybean Milk Store and Overseas Dragon, dried bean curd sold in Wellcome and Matsusei supermarkets and tofu sold in Taipei City's Nanmen Market and Shuiyuan Market, Lee said.

Some of the samples were even found to contain over 80 percent of GM components.

Condemning the Department of Health's "ostrichism," Lee said foods sold through traditional venues are widely available and contain the highest amount of GM elements, but the health department has failed to demand that vendors abide by the government's policy.

As the controversy regarding GM foods' impact on ecology and human health abound, Lee said that health authorities should map out comprehensive regulations to protect consumers' rights and interests.

If street vendors are sure that their foods do not contain any GM components, they can place posters or small billboards explaining the sources of their raw materials, providing consumers with transparent information, Lee suggested.
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