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Group
says Kraft cuts biotech in 4 products; company says no |
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Is Kraft removing genetically modified corn from its U.S. products? It says no, but a group opposed to gene-enhanced food says yes. Recent lab tests show that four Kraft products that tested
positive for genetically modified corn a year ago would now require
no labeling for the ingredient, according to the Genetically Engineered
Food Alert coalition. The coalition did not measure the percentage in the food last year, but it says its findings mean Kraft has reduced the proportion of biotech ingredients in the four products. A spokeswoman for Kraft, which is changing the makeup of its fattiest foods to fight obesity, said no changes are being made to rid its foods of genetically modified ingredients. "Biotech ingredients are safe," said spokeswoman Sarah Delea. "There is a broad consensus among government, scientific and medical experts about the safety of biotech ingredients." Nevertheless, Kraft prohibits genetically modified ingredients in the food it sells in Europe, largely because of consumer distrust about such ingredients' safety. The products that would have escaped labeling were Taco Bell taco shells, Tombstone frozen pizza, Post Blueberry Morning cereal and Stove Top stuffing mix, said Richard Caplan, spokesman for State Public Interest Research Groups, a coalition member. The group released its findings to coincide with the three-year anniversary of Kraft's nationwide recall of its Taco Bell taco shells. Kraft, headquartered in north suburban Northfield, issued the recall after tests confirmed the taco shells were made with genetically engineered corn that was not approved for human consumption. The corn, one of the least grown of several biotech varieties, was approved for use solely in animal feed because of questions about whether it could cause allergic reactions in people. "We applaud Kraft for taking responsible steps to protect consumers from the risks posed by genetically engineered corn," Caplan said. "These steps also help protect Kraft from future lawsuits from another contamination incident or illness resulting from genetically engineered corn." Though people who claimed to be sickened by the taco shells
filed lawsuits, Kraft avoided liability through an agreement to be indemnified
by Aventis CropScience USA Holding, the North
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