Exposing the “Shadow” of GMO food: Greenpeace Investigation on Unlabeled GMO Food Products in China’s Supermarkets The issue of transparency surrounding GMO foods has always been a hot topic in China. Following consumers’ growing calls for their right to know, there have been increased demands on the Ministry of Agriculture of China to fulfil their obligations to disclose governmental information regarding GMOs, even leading to administrative action against the Ministry, by the public. In order to gain an understanding of domestic sales of GMO foods and how they are labeled and regulated, Greenpeace conducted an investigation across China’s first-tier cities. The test results show that 33% of the 43 randomly purchased food products contained GMO ingredients, while none of the samples had an identifying logo. Among the unlabeled samples containing GMO ingredients were well-known brands including Pringles, Nestlé and VV. 1. Methodology Between January and March 2015, Greenpeace investigators randomly selected 43 food products from major international and domestic supermarket chains (including Walmart, Carrefour, Hualian, Huapu, Wumart and Merrymart), across three first tier cities: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. 18 of the purchased products were made in China, while the other 25 were imported. The samples included seven products made from rice, six from soybean, and 10 from corn. The remaining 20 products contained two or more of these ingredients. The types of sampled products ranged from rice noodles, baby rice cereal and breakfast cereal (such as cornflakes, powdered soymilk and oatmeal), to potato chips and biscuits. Before being sent to a certified independent laboratory for GMO ingredient screening, samples were removed of all packaging, repackaged and assigned with serial numbers. The lab that carried out these tests is DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025-2005 certified, which is a globally recognized accreditation for testing capacity.
Image 1: 7 March 2015- A sample of NestlĂŠ Crunchy Coarse Grain Cereal from Merry Mart Yizhuang branch, Beijing, which tested positive for GMO ingredients.
Image 2: 26 February 2015– A sample of Pringles Cheddar Cheese potato chips from Hualian , Chunxiu Road branch, Beijing, which tested positive for GMO ingredients.
Image 3: 25 February 2015- A sample of the VV Group’s Soybean Milk Powder with Vitamin from Walmart, Chaoyang District branch, Beijing, which tested positive for GMO ingredients.
2.
Findings
2.1 More than 30% samples contain GMOs Test results from the certified independent lab show that 33% of all the samples contained at least one type of GMO ingredient and none of the positive samples were labeled with information about their GMO content (detailed test report is presented in Appendix). Included in the positive samples were some popular food items, such as breakfast cereal, rice noodles, potato chips and biscuits. It can be safely said that GMO food items have likely spread widely across the Chinese food market, constituting a substantial threat to consumers’ right to know and consequently, to choose.
Image 4: Products found to contain GMO ingredients.
2.2 Almost 40% of Imported Samples Contained GMOs Imported food products, usually deemed ‘high-end’ and ‘safe’ by Chinese consumers, proved to be no better than their Chinese equivalents in avoiding or labeling GMO ingredients. 36% of the 25 imported samples (including one made in Hong Kong) tested positive for at least one GMO ingredient. Of particular note, eight out of the 14 US-produced food items (57%) tested positive, including cornflakes, potato chips, biscuits and cookies. In purchasing these imported food products with unlabeled GMO ingredients, Chinese consumers are in fact paying higher prices for a 'safer' product, unaware that they are still being exposed to the potential risks of GMO ingredients.
Image 5: Percentage of GMOs found in domestic vs imported food products.
2.3 Nestlé, Pringles, and VV Group Products are Found to Contain GMOs GMO content was detected in two out of nine (22%) Nestlé samples-the Crunchy Coarse Grain Cereal and the Milk & Egg Stars. VV Group’s Soybean Milk Powder with Vitamin and Pringles’ Cheddar Cheese Flavor Potato Chips (made in the US), were also found to contain GMO content. 2.4 Reemergence of illegal GMO Rice Products GMO rice content was also identified in a sample of Jiangxi Rice Noodles, from Lan Vang Foods. The Chinese authorities have not yet approved the commercial production and circulation of any type of transgenic rice or rice products, making the inclusion of GMO ingredients in this product illegal. The discovery of this kind of product on the Chinese market highlights not only the illegal practices in this industry, but also oversights in the authorities’ regulation of illegal GMO rice.
Image 6: 25 February 2015- A sample of Jiangxi Rice noodles purchased from Merry Mart, Sanlihe branch, Beijing, which tested positive for GMO ingredients.
2.5 Loopholes in China’s GMO Labeling Regulations The Regulation of Labeling of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms 1 stipulates that five different categories and seventeen subcategories of GMOs are subject to labelling. The Food Labeling Management Regulations 2 stipulate that GMO food or food with permitted GMO content must be labeled in Chinese. In fact, so far, no quantitative language exists in any regulations on GMO food labeling in China. Therefore, China’s GMO labeling regulation is in effect, operating on a de facto “Zero Tolerance” principle. However, Greenpeace’s investigations reveal that the “Zero Tolerance” principle is far from being effectively enforced in practice. Liu Junhai, Professor of Remin University’s Law School and Vice President of the China Consumers’ Association, said: “Consumers’ right to know, choose and fair exchange are breached if GMO ingredients are used without the final product being labeled.” 3 According to the investigation, the GMO labeling of nearly all the samples containing GMO content is either non-existent or inadequate. Take soybean, for example: the main ingredient in VV Soybean Milk Powder, it is among the first batch of crops included in the List of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Subject to Labeling. However, this list does not specify whether or not GMO ingredients used as raw materials for intensive-processed food should be labeled. For instance, under 1 Order No. 10 of the Ministry of Agriculture of China 2 Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China 3China Youth Daily. “GMO Labeling still in Cloud after a Decade of Regulation”. http://zqb.cyol.com/html/201308/05/nw.D110000zgqnb_20130805_2-05.htm
current regulations, soybean oil must be labeled if made from GMO soybeans, but there is no clear clause in the list to determine labelling of soybean milk powder made from the same raw GMO soybeans. The obscurity of the regulation clause leaves room for enterprises to produce GMO food without informing their customers. The List of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Subject to Labeling has not been reviewed or updated since 2002. At the same time, common foods and ingredients such as soybean lecithin and protein, corn starch and syrup are still not subject to mandatory labeling. The fact that Greenpeace’s investigations spotted GMO content on many common ingredients that are missing from the labeling regulations, reflects that there is a gap between what needs to be regulated and what is actually being regulated. In other words, China’s regulatory system for GMOs suffers from serious defects. 3. The Public’s Fight for the Right to Information In stark contrast to the rising awareness on the part of the Chinese public about GMO food, the authorities, namely the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant agricultural departments, have done very little to improve the public’s access to information on this issue. As a result, more and more consumers are using legal channels to apply for information disclosure. It is worth noting that three requests for administrative litigation involving information disclosure of GMOs have been accepted this year, with intent to sue the Ministry of Agriculture for withholding important information. The three plaintiffs made these demands respectively: to be informed about how the GMO labeling regulatory system is practiced4; to have access to reports on the field experiments that gave Monsanto’s Glyphosate-resisting herbicide, ‘Roundup’, the green light to enter the Chinese market5; and to be informed about the condition of scientific research on GMO crops in China, particularly which frauds have been found and handled. As of April 16 2015, one trial has already reached a verdict; one is ongoing, while another case is awaiting trial. These cases not only mark progress in China’s judicial system reforms, but also demonstrate the public’s increasing demand for their right to know regarding GMO food products. 4.
Demands
In order to safeguard the public’s right to know and to choose on the issue of GMO food labeling, Greenpeace calls on the Ministry of Agriculture to pursue the following actions: a) Products that have been found to contain illegal GMO ingredients must be taken off shelves instantly, while thorough investigations must be carried out to disclose the origins of illegal GMO ingredients.
4People’s Daily Online. “Lawyer Sues MoA for Turning Down Information Disclosure Request about GMO” http://scitech.people.com.cn/n/2015/0215/c1007-26568780.html 5http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s? __biz=MzA4NzIzNDAyNQ==&mid=218390260&idx=1&sn=6b715e59fe8bc0bae1336bbc7b6a07d2&3rd=MzA3MD U4NTYzMw==&scene=6#rd
b) The List of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Subject to Labeling must be updated and improved: Specifically, it must stipulate that food products must labeled as long as they contain any amount of any form of the organisms registered in the list. Appendix: Test Results
Date
Place
Product name
Ingredients
Made in
Test result
Variety of crop
corn
Thailand
Negative
No further comments
rice
Guangxi, China
Negative
No further comments
rice, soy protein powder
Guangdong,
Negative
No further comments
Positive
35S promoter;
(shown in the label) 2015/2/2 4
Hualian, 88 Xianxia
Kellogg's
Road
Frosties
West,
Shanghai 2015/2/2 4
2015/2/2 4
2015/2/2 4
Hualian, 88 Xianxia
Beingmate
Road
Nutritious Rice
West,
Shanghai
Cereal
Hualian, 88 Xianxia
Yashily
Road
Nutritional Rice
West,
Shanghai
Cereal
Hualian, 88 Xianxia
Jiahui Soybean
Road
Powder
West,
China
soybean
Zhejiang, China
Roundup Ready™ soy (MON- ø4ø32-6)
Shanghai 2015/2/2
Carrefour,
4
Zhongshan
Rice
rice
Jiangsu, China
Negative
No further comments
Thai Jasmine
rice
Guangzhou,
Negative
No further comments
Negative
No further comments
Negative
No further comments
Road,
Shanghai 2015/2/2
Carrefour,
4
Zhongshan
Road,
Rice
China
Shanghai 2015/2/2 4
Hualian, 88 Xianxia
Nestlé Infant
corn powder, rice
Heilongjiang,
Road
Nutrition Plus
powder
China
rice
USA
West,
Shanghai
Five Grain Formula Rice Powder
2015/2/2
Wal-Mart,
5
Chaoyang Beijing
Biostime Rice Road,
Cereal For Baby
2015/2/2
Wal-Mart,
5
Chaoyang
2015/2/2 5
VV Soybean Road,
soybean
Jiangsu, China
Positive
Milk Powder
Beijing
with Vitamin
Carrefour,
Hospitality
Guozhan, Beijing
Bunch
35S promoter; Roundup Ready™ soy (MON- ø4ø32-6)
rice flour, granulesten
USA
Negative
No further comments
corn
USA
Positive
35S promoter;
O'Cinnamon Squares Natural Flavor Cereal 2015/2/2 5
Carrefour,
Hospitality
Guozhan, Beijing
Frosted Flakes
Herculex™ RW maize (DAS-59122-7);
Sweetened
BT11 (SYN-BT ø11-1) corn;
Cereal
Roundup Ready 2™ (NK603) corn; YieldGard™ maize (MON810); PAT(SYN) gene; Herculex I™ maize (TC1507)
2015/2/2 5
Carrefour,
Doritos Nacho
corn, corn oil, rapeseed
Guozhan, Beijing
Cheese
oil
Flavored Chips
USA
Positive
Herculex™ RW maize (DAS-59122-7); BT11
(SYN-BT
ø11-1)
corn;
YieldGard VT™ corn (i.e. MON88017 (MON-88Ø17-3)
or
MON89034);
Roundup Ready™ maize (GA21 (MONØØØ21-9));
MIR162
maize;
LibertyLink™ maize (T25(ACS-ZMØØ32)); Roundup Ready 2™ (NK603) corn; YieldGard™ modified gene
maize
(MON810);
phosphinothricin
(PAT
gene)
of
resistance
Streptomyces
viridochromogenes; Herculex I™ maize (TC1507); YieldGard
RootwormTM
(MON-ØØ863-5)) Agrisure
RW™
(MON863
corn; (MIR604
002464-02 (SYN-IR6Ø4-5))corn
AR-15-GH-
2015/2/2 5
Carrefour,
Tostitos Hint of
corn, corn oil, Rapeseed
Guozhan, Beijing
Lime Tortilla
oil
USA
Positive
35S
promoter;
Herculex™ RW maize (DAS-59122-7);
Chips
BT11
(SYN-BT
ø11-1)
corn;
Roundup Ready™ maize (GA21(MONØØØ21-9)); YieldGard VT Pro™ (MON89034(MON89Ø34-3))
corn;
YieldGard
VT
Rootworm™/RR2(MON88017
(MON-
88Ø17-3)); MIR162 maize (OECD Identifier SYNIR162-4); LibertyLink™ maize (T25(ACS-ZMØØ3-2)); Herculex
I™
Agrisure
RW™
maize
(TC1507);
(MIR604
AR-15-GH-
002465-02(SYN-IR6Ø4-5))corn; Roundup Ready 2™ (NK603) corn; YieldGard™
maize
PAT(SYN)
(MON810); gene;
NOS terminator 2015/2/2 5
Merrymart,
Lan Vang
rice
Jiangxi, China
Positive
35S
Sanlihe, Beijing
JiangXi Rice
BT63
Vermicelli
35S/hpt NOS
promoter; rice; modification; terminator;
cry1Ab/Ac-gene; ubi/cry modification 2015/2/2 5
Hualian,
Pepperidge
corn syrup, corn starch,
USA
Positive
Shuangjing, Beijing
Farm Goldfish
Rapeseed oil,
Roundup Ready™ soy (MON- ø4ø32-6);
Grahams
granulesten
NOS
terminator;
FMV
promoter;
S'mores
35S
promoter;
YieldGard VT maize 2015/2/2 5
Hualian,
Nature Valley
corn flour, soybean
Shuangjing, Beijing
Crunchy
flour, canola oil,
Roundup Ready2Yield™ (MON-89788-1)
Granola Bars
granulesten
Soybean;
(Apple Crisp)
USA
Positive
35S
promoter;
Roundup Ready™ soy (MON- ø4ø32-6); NOS 34S FMV promoter
terminator;
2015/2/2 5
Hualian,
Pepperidge
granulesten, soybean oil,
Shuangjing, Beijing
Farm Lexington
cornstarch, corn syrup
USA
Positive
35S
promoter
Roundup Ready2Yield™ (MON-89788-1)
Milk Chocolate
Soybean
Toffee Almond
Roundup
Chocolate
NOS
Chunk Crispy
34S FMV promoter
Ready™
soy
DNA
terminator
Cookies 2015/2/2 6
Hualian,
Chunxiu
Road, Beijing
Popz
corn
USA
Negative
No further comments
corn flour, soybean oil
USA
Positive
35S
Microwave Popcorn (Salted)
2015/2/2 6
Hualian,
Chunxiu
Road, Beijing
La Tapatia Nacho Chips
promoter
Herculex™ BT11
RW
maize(DAS-59122-7)
(SYN-BT
ø11-1)
corn
YieldGard VT Pro™ (MON89034(MON89Ø34-3))
corn
YieldGard
VT
Rootworm™/RR2(MON88017
(MON-
88Ø17-3)) Roundup
corn; Ready
YieldGard™
2™
(NK603)
maize
corn
(MON810)
NOS
terminator
34S
FMV
Herculex
I™
PAT(SYN) YieldGard VT™ corn
maize
(TC1507) gene
2015/2/2 6
Hualian,
Chunxiu
Road, Beijing
Pringles
corn flour, soybean oil,
Cheddar
rice flour
USA
Positive
35S
promoter
Herculex™
Cheese Potato
BT11
Crisps
YieldGard
RW
maize(DAS-59122-7)
(SYN-BT VT
ø11-1) Pro™
corn
(MON89034
(MON-89Ø34-3)) Roundup
Ready™
maize
(GA21
(MON-ØØØ21-9)) YieldGard
VT
(MON88017
(MON-88Ø17-3))
Agrisure
Rootworm™/RR2
Viptera™
maize
corn MIR162
LibertyLink™ maize (T25(ACS-ZMØØ3-2)) Roundup
Ready
YieldGard™
2™
(NK603)
maize
NOS
Herculex
PAT FMV I™
maize VT™
RW™
PMI/NOS modification
6
Chunxiu
Road, Beijing
Rocky
corn starch, corn syrup
USA
Negative
No further comments
corn, granulesten
the Philippines
Negative
No further comments
corn flour, rice flour
Heilongjiang,
Negative
No further comments
Negative
No further comments
Mountain Marshmallows (Fruity)
2015/2/2 4
Parknshop, Tianhe
W.L UMC
Entertainment
mixed Flavors
Hall, Guangzhou
Crispy Corn (Milk& Chocolate)
2015/2/2 4
Parknshop, Tianhe
Nestlé Gold
Entertainment
Infant Nutrition
Hall, Guangzhou
Plus Oatmeal
China
and Rice Powder 2015/2/2 4
Parknshop, Tianhe
Nutribén
Entertainment
Instant Cereal
rice flour, corn starch
Spain
corn
(MIR604(SYN-IR6Ø4-
5))corn
Hualian,
(TC1507) gene
YieldGard
2015/2/2
gene promoter
cry1Ab/Ac Agrisure
(MON810) terminator
modified 34S
corn
2015/2/2 4
Hall, Guangzhou
For Children
Parknshop, Tianhe
Redondo
rice flour, corn starch,
Entertainment
Luxury Cream
granulesten
Hall, Guangzhou
Wafers
Indonesia
Negative
No further comments
corn starch
Malaysia
Negative
No further comments
soybean, soybean flour
Hong Kong,
Positive
35S
(Cappuccino) 2015/2/2 4
Parknshop, Tianhe
Morris Cream
Entertainment
Crackers
Hall, Guangzhou 2015/2/2 4
2015/2/2 4
AEON,
Tianhe
Dai Pai Dong
District,
Instant Soya-
Guangzhou
bean Milk Oats
AEON,
Tianhe
District,
Matsunaga Soy
China
Roundup Ready™ soy (MON- ø4ø32-6)
soybean
Japan
Negative
No further comments
soybean flour
Austria
Negative
No further comments
corn starch
Malaysia
Negative
No further comments
corn
USA
Negative
No further comments
corn
Australia
Negative
No further comments
corn
Italy
Negative
No further comments
Sauce Cookie
Guangzhou 2015/2/2 4
AEON,
Tianhe
Loacker
District,
Quadratini
Guangzhou
Almond Bite Size Wafer Cookies
2015/2/2 4
2015/2/2 4
AEON,
Tianhe
Shoon Fatt
District,
Merceti
Guangzhou
Biscites
AEON,
Tianhe
District,
Kellogg's Corn Flakes
Guangzhou 2015/2/2 4
AEON,
Tianhe
Rafferty's
District,
Garden
Guangzhou
Premium Baby Food （Pumpkin+ apple+ sweetcorn）
2015/2/2
AEON,
Tianhe
Ca' del
promoter;
4
2015/2/2
District,
Granbosco
Guangzhou
Corn Flakes Stonehedge
corn, corn syrup,
District,
Farms Caramel
granulesten
Guangzhou
Popcorn
2015/2/2
LOTUS
MARKET,
Rice
5
Tianhe
District,
5
AEON,
Tianhe
USA
Negative
No further comments
rice
Jiangxi, China
Negative
No further comments
Rice
rice
Hubei, China
Negative
No further comments
Merrymart,
Nestlé Crunchy
corn flour
Tianjin, China
Positive
35S
Yizhuang, Beijing
Coarse Grain
genetically modified Roundup Ready™
Cereal
soy (MON- ø4ø32-6)
Guangzhou 2015/2/2
RenRenJia, Shabu
5
Village, Guangzhou
2015/3/7
2015/3/7
Merrymart,
Nestlé Nesvita
rice flour, corn flour
Yizhuang, Beijing 2015/3/7
2015/3/7
2015/3/7
Heilongjiang,
Negative
No further comments
promoter;
China
Wumart,
Nestlé Crispy
Majuqiao, Beijing
Shark
Wumart,
Nestlé Oats &
Majuqiao, Beijing
Honey Cheerios
Wumart,
Nestlé Milk &
Majuqiao, Beijing
Egg Stars
granulesten
Tianjin, China
Negative
No further comments
corn flour, rice flour
Tianjin, China
Negative
No further comments
corn flour, rice flour
Tianjin, China
Positive
Roundup Ready2Yield™ (MON-89788-1) Soybean Roundup Ready™ soy (MON- ø4ø32-6) NOS 34S FMV promoter
2015/3/7
Wumart,
Nestlé Cheerios
corn flour, rice flour
Tianjin, China
Negative
No further comments
Hualian,
Nestlé Crispy
granulesten, rice
Tianjin, China
Negative
No further comments
Ronghuazhong
Shark Triangle
powder, corn powder
Road, Beijing
(Chocolate)
Majuqiao, Beijing 2015/3/7
terminator