After recent research from campaigning organization Greenpeace found the S-26 Soy brand of infant formula contains GM or genetically modified ingredients that are not disclosed on the product label, two Senators are urging the Federal Government to tighten Australia's food labeling laws.
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert feels current food labeling laws are inadequate. “There's poor process and pressure from big business,” she said. She is joined by independent Senator Nick Xenophon in the Senate. “Every parent deserves to know whether the baby formula they're giving to their children contains GM,” he said.
According to Professor Peter Collignon from the ANU Medical School, food companies are putting antibiotic resistant genes in foods unnecessarily. He said, “Why expose the environment, animals, people to antibiotics resistance genes that could potentially be taken up by bacteria and develop superbug properties when we don't have to?” “We should not have antibiotic resistance genes multiplied up by crops growing the genes and having more risk to us for even more problems with superbugs when that is a risk that doesn't have to be taken,” he added.
The maker of S-26, Wyeth Nutrition defended their position saying their formula may contain traces of GM ingredients, but they are well below the Australian food standards level.
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