NZ Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

(uncorrected transcript-subject to correction and further editing)

7. SUE KEDGLEY (Green) to the Minister for Food Safety: What progress has she made in implementing the recommendation 8.3 of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification "that, as a matter of priority, the Food Administration Authority disseminate information on the labelling regime for genetically modified foods and consumer rights in relation to foods made available for consumption at restaurants and takeaway bars."?

Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister for Food Safety): An exemption under standard 1.5.2 of the foods standards code exists for restaurants and takeaway outlets. Obviously it is unworkable to label composite meals. However, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority has undertaken a public and trade information programme that describes the labelling system and consumer rights. Restaurants and takeaway outlets are also required to comply with New Zealand law in relation to the use of GM food-that is, they can use only foods that have been investigated, assessed, and approved.

Sue Kedgley: Can she confirm that despite the priority given by the royal commission to that recommendation, the Food Safety Authority has done absolutely nothing to require takeaway outlet owners to disclose the GE content of their foods, or to protect consumer rights to avoid eating GE takeaway foods if they so wish?

Hon ANNETTE KING: No, I will not confirm that, because the New Zealand Food Safety Authority has provided information for the public in the form of pamphlets, postcards, and a large poster that tells the public of New Zealand that the labelling requirement applies to all packaged foods but not to foods prepared in restaurants and cafes. It is the same as most other labelling requirements. If people are concerned they can ask whether the food contains any GM ingredients before they choose to buy.

Nanaia Mahuta: What was the royal commission's view of the approach taken in the GM labelling standard?

Hon ANNETTE KING: In paragraph 197 on page 233 of the report, the commission noted that it supported the labelling system provided under the standard, and when discussing point of sale issues, it noted in paragraph 202 on page 234 that: "We have confidence in the ANZFA safety assessment process."

Hon Brian Donnelly: Can the Minister confirm that the conclusion drawn by the royal commission-that there is no evidence, either empirical or theoretical, that demonstrates that GE food is dangerous to human health-is still valid today, more than 2 years later?

Hon ANNETTE KING: Yes, I can.

Sue Kedgley: Can the Minister explain the logic behind the fact that when food containing some GE ingredients is bought in a supermarket it needs to be declared on a label, but when identical food is bought in a takeaway store it does not have to be declared; and how does this protect the right of New Zealand consumers to know what is in the food they eat?

Hon ANNETTE KING: It was considered unworkable to go to a restaurant and have labelling on parts of food, on sauces used on food, or on any processed parts of food. It would not work and would be a nonsense. As it is not required for safety reasons, it has not been implemented.

Sue Kedgley: Is the Minister aware that in places like the UK, labelling is required in takeaway stores-if not restaurants-for GE ingredients; and further to the Food Safety Authority's comments this morning that our labelling laws are framed to inform people of the GE content of the foods they eat, why are consumers given absolutely no information about whether food they buy in takeaway bars-such as these potato chips I have before me-has been cooked in genetically engineered oil and whether it contains GE ingredients?

Hon ANNETTE KING: I answered the last part of that question. In relation to the first part, what people do in the UK is their business. However, I have not heard the member protesting the fact that the European Union has decided to exempt wines and cheese that have GM organisms in them. Obviously, each country will make its own decision as to what will be part of its labelling regime.

Sue Kedgley: I seek leave to table these takeaway chips so that the Minister for Food Safety can let me know whether they contain genetically engineered ingredients.