Most FMCG firms yet to form clear policy on GM food

Consumer goods company Dabur and KRBL, which makes the India Gate brand of rice, are the most consumer responsible companies, according to a Greenpeace report. Greenpeace released a Safe Food Guide today in which it has rated the top 25 most popular food companies according to their policy on genetically-modified (GM) food. Based on their responsibility towards consumers on the GM food issue, the guide categorises companies as green, yellow and red.

Greenpeace has ranked the companies on the basis of their current and long-term policies on use of GM food, their willingness to inform their position to consumers and pro-activeness in ensuring a labelling and liability regime on foods derived from GM crops. The organisation says the brands have been listed after a three-month long process of direct communication with the companies.

Dabur and KRBL emerged as the top green companies. These companies have not only taken necessary steps to ensure that they remain GM free in present and future, but also are ready to engage with the government to keep the Indian food market free from the GM food. Dabur, for instance, shares its stand on GM in its sustainability reports. Though there is no law on mentioning GM status on labelling in India, KRBL mentions it on labels.

Nestle, PepsiCo, Haldiram, Hindustan Unilever, Cargill, Britannia, Parle, Amul, GSK, Kelloggs among others fell in the red list. These companies have not taken any concrete steps to provide consumers GM free food for now or in future.

Cadbury, ITC, Ruchi Soya, Heinz and Kohinoor among others are in yellow list which means that these companies are committed to sourcing GM free ingredients but are yet to take a long-term position on being GM free or share their position with consumers.

A PepsiCo India spokesperson said: “Approval of GM food differs from country to country regarding both use and labelling. PepsiCo adheres to all relevant regulatory requirements regarding use of GM food crops and food ingredients within all countries it operates. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that ingredients for the products we make and sell in India do not contain genetically modified organisms.”

Several other companies in the list who were contacted by Business Standard, were either unavailable for comment or said they would be able to reply only tomorrow.

The issue gains significance as even though the commercialisation of Bt brinjal has been put on hold owing to public opposition, there are field trials for over 11 crops across the country. Moreover, import of raw materials like corn, canola and soya from countries like the US, Canada, Brazil among others where GM crops are grown is quite substantial.