Group Names Bioengineered Kraft Foods
A coalition of consumer and environmental groups says seven products of Northfield-based Kraft Foods Inc. contain controversial but legal genetically modified components.
By Ameet Sachdev
Chicago Tribune, February 6, 2002

The Genetically Engineered Food Alert want the nation's largest foodmaker to stop using bioengineered ingredients. Today it released findings from an independent lab it commissioned to test 10 Kraft products.

The lab found that seven of the products contained genetically altered corn or soy:

• Post Blueberry Morning cereal.
• Lunchables Ultimate Nachos.
• Taco Bell taco shells.
• Snackwells French Onion crackers.
• Tombstone Supreme Taco Pizza.
• Boca Burgers.
• Stove Top Stuffing with cornbread.

Consumers are not aware of this because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't require that foods be labeled as containing genetically altered ingredients, said Kate Madigan, corporate advocate of state Public Interest Research Groups, a member of the coalition. Other member groups include Center for Food Safety and Friends of the Earth.

Critics contend that not enough is known about the long-term effects of gene-spliced foods on human health and the environment. They've called for more testing as such foods are increasingly common on the nation's grocery shelves.

To raise understanding among consumers, the coalition plans to distribute leaflets and petitions in 170 cities in the U.S., Canada and Australia. It isn't going so far as to call for a boycott of Kraft products.

Kraft, majority-owned by Philip Morris Cos., isn't the coalition's first target. In July 2000, the group called on Campbell Soup Co. and Kellogg Co. to remove genetically modified ingredients from their products. The companies have yet to respond.

Kraft also appears unbowed by the pressure. A spokesman for the Northfield-based company said there is consensus among international governments, scientists and medical experts about the safety of genetically altered foods.