Organic Cherry (photo by xololounge, courtesy of morgueFile.com)

Consumers around the globe are concerned about the safety of genetically modified (GM) food. In 2010, there were developments in several countries that should leave them hopeful for a healthier and more sustainable food supply.

Just a few weeks ago a U.S. judge ordered the destruction of illegally planted GM sugar beets, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White wrote, "The legality of [the] defendants' conduct does not even appear to be a close question," and the seedlings "shall be removed from the ground."

The case was a victory for GM opponents Earthjustice and the Center for Food Safety, who were joined in the case by several organic seed producers from Oregon's Willamette Valley. The organic farmers fear unintended crossbreeding that would complicate exports to markets wary of modified crops in Europe and elsewhere.

GM Farming Loses Court Battle in Germany

On November 29th, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court upheld restrictions on genetic farming and also ruled that anyone who engages in the practice should be held economically liable for any damage caused to conventional crops.

The suit was brought by Saxony-Anhalt against the country’s Genetic Engineering Act. The suit claimed that the act was a violation of occupational freedom. The court dismissed the claim and said that the restrictive rules against genetically engineered crops were “suitable and necessary and also appropriate.”

Labeling Launched by France's Carrefour

The ruling in the German court came about a month after French grocery retailer Carrefour launched a 'non-GM' label. ”Nourri sans OGM” (“free from GM feed”) has been added to over 300 products in Carrefour’s French stores.

The company said studies found 63% of customers would stop consuming food products if they knew the products came from animals fed with GMOs.

Carrefour France executive director James McCann said:

We have a very strong belief in Carrefour to inform our customers and give them the freedom to choose. With this new labelling, we allow our customers to decide in a transparent way whether or not to buy products from animals having been fed GM-free food. Being a responsible retailer is a fundamental value for us.

American Companies Opposed to GM Sugar Beets

American Feast founder Jeff Deasy has long called for the labeling of GM food, saying, "The biotech industry opposes such labeling because they know consumers don't want to buy GM foods." In 2009, the company joined Organic Valley and more than 70 other businesses in pledging not to use or sell genetically modified beet sugar. The companies believe there has been insufficient study of the long term effects of genetically modified crops on human health and the environment.

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