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 Many activists and critics have cited studies
showing that genetically modified (GM) crops are not safe for people
and animals who consume them.
Some activist groups opposing GM food also say the crops create
environmental problems by encouraging more use of certain agro
chemicals, and consumers should have the right to know what they are
buying.
However, General Mills, which also makes Betty Crocker dessert mixes
and Yoplait yoghurt, said in a company blog post on Thursday that
its decision on ingredients was not driven by safety concerns or
pressure from critics. (http://link.reuters.com/vem75v)
"It's not about safety. Biotech seeds, also known as genetically
modified seeds, have been approved by global food safety agencies
and widely used by farmers in global food crops for almost 20
years," the General Mills blog said.
The Minneapolis-based company said it has begun using non-GM
cornstarch and non-GM sugar in Cheerios, adding that oats, the
primary ingredient, is a crop that is not grown from genetically
modified seeds.
The company hopes that "consumers may embrace" its decision to move
away from GM ingredients.
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In November, a Washington state ballot measure that would have
required labeling of foods containing GM crops did not win wide
approval.
A consortium including General Mills, Nestle USA, PepsiCo,
Monsanto,, DuPont and other corporate giants, were key contributors
to the roughly $22 million raised to campaign against the bill.
(Reporting by Sakthi Prasad and Sampad
Patnaik in Bangalore; editing by Gopakumar Warrier)
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