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UK government food watchdog gave green light to sell 'illegal' genetically modified rice.

category carlow | consumer issues | other press author Sunday September 17, 2006 23:29author by Paddy Murphy - Greenpeace

Friends of the Earth has found GM material in two samples of ...

Today, The UK Independent newspaper reveals that "Britain's official food safety watchdog has privately told supermarkets that it will not stop them selling an illegal GM rice to the public". Documents seen by the newspaper show that the Food Standards Agency assured major manufacturers and retailers 10 days ago that it would not make them withdraw the rice - at the same time as it was telling the public it should not be allowed to go on sale.

Last night, Peter Ainsworth, the shadow Environment Secretary, described the agency's conduct as "a massive scandal".

Related Link: http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1604094.ece

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Tesco removes it US long grain rice from shelves.
author by freeakpublication date Wed Sep 20, 2006 14:43author address author phone

Check your long rice for GM

Tesco Ireland has withdrawn some of its own-brand US long grain rice as
a precautionary measure following the withdrawal of two products in the
UK that allegedly contained genetically modified (GMO) rice. A spokesman said
that any American long grain rice to be packed for Tesco in future will be
tested and verified as GM-free.

"Whilst this is not a food safety issue we of course take it very seriously. We are working with our suppliers and the relevant authorities and as a precaution we've withdrawn previous stock of Tesco American long grain rice in 500g and 1kg packs," he siad.

http://www.fsai.ie/news/press/pr_06/pr20060830.asp

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78457

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