Greenpeace today  welcomed the statement by the Secretary General of the Bureau  of Food and Drugs declaring that Thailand’s government will  require labelling of genetically engineered (GE) food by the end of  this year at latest (1). The announcement came after Greenpeace  tests on food products demonstrated that the public is routinely  and unknowingly exposed to GE contaminated food. Almost 1 in 4  products tested contained GE ingredients (2).

Secretary General of the Food and Drugs Administration, Dr.  Vichai Chokeviwat said on UBC Nation Television that the Thai  government has a duty to let the public know about GE ingredients  in food and confirmed that “there will be labelling of GE foods by  at least the end of the year”. He later repeated this promise on  Kom-Chat-Luak programme on UBC 8.

Greenpeace congratulated Thailand for its determination to  protect the public and the environment from genetic pollution. The  intention to introduce labelling rules for GE food comes only a  week after the Thai governments’ decision to ban the release of  genetically engineered (GE) crops into the environment and to  stop GE field trials was made public.(3)

Thailand is one of the world’s leading food exporting countries  and regularly exports to countries such as the United Kingdom  and Saudi Arabia that require strict labelling of GE ingredients in  food.  

“Greenpeace urges the other Asian governments to follow  Thailand’s lead. This is the sensible and honest thing to do to  protect the interest of consumers and the environment. This move  will also benefit Thai exporters as Thailand's main export markets  are looking for non-  GE products or require labelling,” said Dr  Jiragorn Gajaseni, Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast  Asia.  

Professor Wichai Cherdshewasart, Member of the Thailand  National Board of Biosafety  also praised the decision:  "Now is our golden opportunity. Most  countries are looking for non-GMO [non-genetically modified]  produce. We should take advantage of it. In adopting such a  policy, the government must then ensure that existing crops with  GM [genetically modified] plants, mainly soya bean, will be  identified and eventually eradicated."

There are currently 28 countries with labelling legislation in place  including Japan, Korea and the 15 countries of the European  Union (4). In Europe, where labelling of GE products has been  mandatory since1998, the experience shows that labelling has not  added costs to the consumer. In the United States, however,  where no GE labelling is required, recalls of over 300 food  products containing potentially dangerous genetically modified  ingredients have cost the food industry over a billion dollars. The  only major food producing countries resisting labelling GE food are  the United States and Canada.  

“Greenpeace calls on Nestle, Knorr, Nissin, Goodtimes,  Pringles, Vita-Tofu and Pepsico to also be honest with the  public by immediately labelling their GE contaminated products  and acting to remove the GE from their food,” said Auaiporn  Suthonthanyakorn, Greenpeace GE campaigner in Thailand.  

For more information: In Thailand: Auaiporn Suthonthanyakorn,  Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner, Thailand, Mob:  +6618207006; Jim Thomas, +662272 7100

Isabelle Meister, Greenpeace International GE campaigner, Mob:  +41794184455; Greenpeace International Press Office, Teresa Merilainen, Tel:  +31205236637.
http://www.greenpeace.org }http://www.greenpeace.org

Notes to the editors:

SecretaryGeneral of the Food and Drugs Administration, Dr. Vichai Chokeviwat speaking live on UBC Nation television at 7pm 11th April promised that GE labelling would be in place by at least the end of the year. Questioned by presenter to check this was so he repeated ”by at least the end of the year”.   

2) The following products contained GE ingredients: Nestle baby  food (Baby Celerac), Good Times instant cereal beverage,  Knorr Cup Soup (instant cream of corn soup), Nissin Cup  Noodles, Lay's Stax (potato crisp original flavour), Pringles  Snack, High class Vita-Tofu soy bean curd.

3) The cabinet of the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided  to instruct the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to halt all  approvals for GE field trials.

4) Countries that have labelling legislation written or already in  place are the 15 countries of the European Union, Japan, Korea,  Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Poland,  Norway, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Israel and Russia. Mexico,  the Philippines and  Hong Kong  have political commitments or  legislation awaiting approval for GE labelling whilst Brazil  currently forbids the use of GE food altogether.    

Teresa Merilainen Media Officer Greenpeace International Keizersgracht 176 1016 DW Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: ++31-20-5236637 Gsm: ++31-(0)625031001  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Fax: ++31-20-523 6212