@morethanorganic

Policy statement kindly provided by Sainsburys (Major UK Supermarket brand) :

At Sainsbury's we do not permit the use of genetically modified crops, ingredients, additives or derivatives in our own-brand food, drink, pet food, dietary supplements and floral products.

We work closely with our suppliers, who are subject to our strict approval and audit processes, to ensure that our GM policy is adhered to at every step of the supply chain. We require the supply chain to be identity preserved. This means that the product is fully traceable and steps have been taken to ensure the composition and non-GM nature of the product has not altered through the food chain.

We know that some of our customers have concerns about consuming products from animals whose feed may contain GM ingredients. We therefore stock a choice of meat and dairy products sourced from livestock which have been fed a non-GM diet. These include:

* All Sainsbury's SO Organic products

* All our chicken, turkey and duck (fresh and frozen)

* All our farmed salmon

* All our Taste the Difference pork and bacon

* All our Taste the Difference beef

* All our Taste the Difference eggs

* Our Farm Promise milk.

We have previously done some work with the National Farmers' Union (NFU) to investigate the possibility of sourcing all our products from animals fed on certified non-GM feed. We found this move would significantly increase farmers' costs, since most feed is currently made from ingredients where GM and non-GM are not segregated. We therefore do not believe that this would be feasible in the very near future, but will certainly continue to monitor the situation. We are aware of the reducing availability of non-GM food crops on the world market. We therefore regularly meet with key internal and external stakeholders to review the situation and to discuss continuity of supply for Sainsbury's livestock currently fed a non-GM diet.

So as a leading UK supermarket, Sainsburys, do not permit GM foods in their own label products.  What do you think?  Do you think this is driven by safety, environmental concerns, sales?  What about the stock of branded produce?

Still waiting for Asda (part of Walmart group) to come back with a clear policy statement.  This is what they sent me, so I asked how they could ensure their meat was GM free:

"Our definition of non–GM is something which has been produced understrictly monitored guidelines, applied at every stage — from the fieldto the finished product. Inresponse to our customers’ requests, we have made it a matter of policythat none of our products contain Genetically Modified (GM) ingredientsor derivatives.

Althoughwe’re open to GM technologies, until the benefits to the end consumerare clearly demonstrated, be that more food security through better useof land, improvements in health, or lowering the cost of living, we arenot going to take the lead.

Itis not for supermarkets to make that case but for expert scientists andGovernment. As always the products we sell will reflect the views ofour customers."

Asda (Walmart) emailed me with this:

"For beef it is unfortunately that we can notcomply 100%. We try but with so many suppliers of cattle it would be difficult to police. There is an acceptance that it is not required but much of the feed that is not grass can be made from many sources."

Have just asked them to change the misleading information on their web site here:

http://your.asda.com/food

YES!!! Asda (Walmart) have changed the wording on their web site http://your.asda.com/food

It now reads that peoplea re best to buy organic meat if want to avoid #gmo contamination

There is currently a campaign by WSPA to prevent the first mega dairy factory farm from opening in UK.  I'm interested in getting involved with this campaign, so in typical @morethanorganic style, went direct to Sainsburys supermarket @jsainsbury to ask if they would be happy to supply their customers with milk from cows denied pasture and fed gmofood. 

Sainsbury's replies:

"We don't need any additional milk and therefore won't be taking from Nocton."

"Gavin

Thank you for your note and apologies for the delay in responding.

In terms of Sainsbury's milk supply; we have been working with a group of 325 dedicated farmers for the past 3 1/2 years, who supply all of our liquid milk requirements. As Sainsbury’s has grown, our existing farmers have grown with us. As a result, we don’t need to purchase any extra milk from outside the group and continue to work with them, so they can fulfil our future growth.

We fully acknowledge your concerns regarding housed cows and zero grazing. We will continue to monitor this and look to best practice and research to ensure that both the animals' health and natural behavioural needs are met; and the welfare of animals is not compromised. All of our work to date highlights that the best farms are those that practice the highest levels of animal stockmanship and we will continue to support our farmers to achieve this through training and veterinary guidance.

One of the most important ways we are making progress in sourcing is through active collaboration with our suppliers and farmers, both in the UK and overseas. Our Development Groups are practical working partnerships where we pool our knowledge about supply chains, and work together to develop the skills and resources our suppliers need. Sainsbury's Dairy Development Group (SDDG) was the first to be set up in 2006 and we invested £15 million to establish the group. In January 2010 we committed a further £40 million to this group for use over the next three years. The aim of the Group is to help our 325 dairy farmers reduce their on-farm costs by improving efficiency, animal health and welfare and reducing their impact on the environment. In exchange for this commitment, we offer them a premium for their milk.

Sainsbury's takes animal welfare very seriously and it remains very important to our customers. Sourcing with integrity and therefore animal welfare is part of our main corporate values. We have been committed to this for many years and we were one of the first retailers to launch Freedom Food Chicken in 2004. In February 2009 we became the first major retailer to stop selling eggs from caged hens, a year ahead of our 2010 target and more than two years ahead of Government legislation. On top of this, we are committed to using only cage free eggs as an ingredient by the end of 2011. We are also the UK's largest retailer of Freedom Food with a 62% market share. We are very proud to have been awarded the ‘UK’s best volume supermarket’ by Compassion in World Farming.

We have a strict policy on GMO including feed and this can be found here http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/cr/index.asp?pageid=88§ion=sourcing&faq=7#faq7