Africa Bio, a body that backs modified food, slammed the planned talks, saying Fawu's information on the food was "based on misinformation." Limited numbers of genetically modified crops are grown in SA, and imported engineered soya is used in processed meat and other locally produced food.

Fawu deputy-general secretary William Thomas said yesterday that it was asking for debate on the issue with government and business at Nedlac. "If the talks don't succeed, we will definitely consider embarking on industrial action," Thomas said.

Nedlac spokeswoman Jennifer Wilson said the union was currently debating international subsidies around the SA-European Union (EU) free trade agreement, and no notice had yet been received that Fawu planned to introduce a debate on food safety issues.