Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
01.06.2016
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
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Procons inspection found genetically modified ingredients in cake mixes, snack foods of major brands without adequate consumer information on the packaging
The National Consumer Bureau (Senacon), the Ministry of Justice, notified six food manufacturers to pay penalties for not reporting on the labeling of products using genetically modified ingredients, as required by law.
Penalties range from R$ 277,400 to just over R$ 1 million. The decision was published in late December 2015 and is the result of an inspection carried out by state consumer protection agencies in 2010.
Laboratory tests found the use of genetically modified ingredients in cake mixes, snack foods and other products collected in the country's supermarkets by Procon.
Below is the list of products, manufacturers involved and the amounts of the fines for each company:
Mix to flavor cake topper Dona Benta (J. Macedo SA)Fine: R $ 277,453.33
Pancake Pancake mixture to Salgatta (Dr. Oetker Brazil Ltda.)
Fine: R $ 458,303.75
Oreo flavor strawberry Bono (Nestlé Brazil Ltda.)
Fine: R $ 382,488.03
Wheat snacks taste bacon Baconzitos (Pepsico of Brazil Ltda)
Fine: R $ 389,573.59
Oreo Chocolate and cherry shortcake (Adria Alimentos do Brazil Ltda.)
Fine: R $ 426,958.44
Cake artificial vanilla flavor (Bimbo of Brazil Ltda.)
Fine: R $ 1,061,397.11
Right to information
The Senacon concluded that the conduct of the companies violated the right to information, freedom of choice and protection against abusive practices and therefore characterizes a collective injury to consumers across the country.
In addition to the fines, the Secretariat recommends that manufacturers modify the labels to properly report on the use of GMOs. Companies can still appeal.
For Idec, the decision of Senacon is important because it strengthens the enforcement of legislation requiring the labeling of GM foods and the right to information laid down in the Consumer Protection Code.
"In addition, it reiterates the view of the Ministry of Justice that all products that use genetically modified ingredients, regardless of the amount, must bring this information on labels," says Ana Paula Bortoletto, nutritionist and researcher at the Idec.
The Institute argues that the notified companies take an ethical stance towards society and take responsibility for the damage caused to consumers. "These companies must pay the fine and especially those who have not yet done so, enter the information about the presence of GMOs on the labels of their products as quickly as possible," he adds.
Campaign against the end of the labeling
The current legislation requiring labeling of GM foods is under threat. Underway in the Senate, the bill (PL) No 34/2015 (former PL 4,148 / 2008, also called PL Heinze, referring to the representative's name as the proposed Luiz Carlos Heinze) predicts the end of the T symbol use which visually identifies the use of GMOs.
In addition, the PL wants that labeling is mandatory only for products that have proven in the laboratory for the presence of genetically modified organisms. "In practice, this flexibility would mean the end of the labeling of GMOs for most products today are already labeled," warns the researcher Idec.
To prevent this setback, Idec maintains constant campaign of sending messages to parliamentarians and expects the approval of the bill in the House to revert the Senate. The Committee on Science and Technology (CCT) Senate has already approved denied the PL 35/2015.
Source: Idec
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.