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Note. A few hours ago a copy of his article appeared on another site and apparently the site was forced within hours to remove it by Monsanto. Monsanto apparently denied that the article was true and threatened them, so they had to remove it. This is typical Monsanto behaviour. A copy of the BBC article is at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/574245.stm as of this minute. There are many articles under Google. Do a search on "Granada Food Services & Monsanto"

It is suggested that you download and save this article and post it on as many other sites and e-mail to as many on your lists as possible. I don't owe the bastards any favours as they have wrecked my life with their aspartame poison, the reason for this site.

Monsanto Eatery Bans Altered Food

Associated Press
December 21, 1999

LONDON (AP) -- Genetically modified food has been banned from the staff cafeteria at Monsanto Co.'s UK headquarters by the company's own caterer, Monsanto confirmed Tuesday.

Granada Food Services, whose customers include Monsanto's High Wycombe office near London, recently told clients it would not supply food containing genetically modified soya or maize due to customer concerns.

In a statement to clients, Granada said the move was designed ``to ensure that you, the customer, can feel confident in the food we serve.''

Genetic engineering involves splicing a single gene from one organism to another. Genetically modified products, including Monsanto's genetically engineered corn, have recently met with safety concerns in parts of Europe and Asia.

In October, the European Union adopted new marketing rules requiring companies to label food as genetically modified if more than one percent of the product contains genetically modified organisms. Granada's statement said the ban also brings the company into compliance with the new regulations.

Monsanto played down the staff cafeteria policy, and denied it was an embarrassment to have a genetically modified food ban at the head office of a company manufacturing genetically modified crop seeds.

``We believe in choice. At our Cambridge restaurant the notice says some products may contain genetically modified organisms because our staff are happy to eat foods sprayed with fewer chemicals,'' said Tony Combes, Monsanto's director of corporate affairs.

Combes also pointed out that Granada's ban was a blanket ban covering all of its customers and did not target Monsanto specifically.

``It has nothing to do with us really,'' said Combes.

Opponents of genetically modified food said they believe the ban showed a lack of confidence in Monsanto, however.

``The public has made its concerns about GM ingredients very clear. Now it appears that even Monsanto's own catering firm has no confidence in this new technology,'' said Adrian Bebb, food campaigner at Friends of the Earth.

** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed for research and educational purposes only. **

Last Updated on 12/26/99
By Karen Lutz
Email:
karen@biotech-info.net 

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