Baby formula fears

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Traces of genetically modified ingredients have been found in a baby formula sold in New Zealand.

Greenpeace Australia tested baby formula S-26 Soy, made by Pfizer-owned Wyeth Nutrition, and found up to 0.2 per cent of GM soy and corn, said spokeswoman Laura Kelly.

Wyeth spokeswoman Yvonne Bowyer confirmed on Friday the formula was also sold in New Zealand.

Kelly had "significant concerns" about the findings and called for the formula to have labels revealing all contents.

"Parents have a fundamental right to know," she said.

Kelly said this was the 12th time since 1998 that tests, carried out in different parts of the world, showed the formula had traces of GM material. Therefore, the company could not claim traces were there without its knowledge.

The formula is generally given to babies over 12 months with either a lactose intolerance or on a vegetarian diet.

Bowyer said the company and its technical experts had met Greenpeace Australia on Friday. "We're working with them and taking it seriously," said Bowyer.

However, she said company tests after Greenpeace's claims came to light found "undetectable contamination". She said tests may sometimes "vary" so they hoped to get to the bottom of the issue soon.

But in the meantime Bowyer assured Kiwi parents the company believed its formula was safe and had provided a helpline number and information through its website www.wyeth.com.au.

By nature, soy was incredibly difficult to get completely GM-free, she said.

The crops could be growing near a GM-crop and cross-pollination could occur. She also said "many people steer away from soy generally" as there had been other "health issues raised" including estrogen levels.

"But for some people it's their only choice, so we would hate to take away that option for mothers," said Bowyer.

Katherine Rich, chief executive of the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council, said there was "no safety issue" given the "tiny" levels allegedly detected.

She felt Greenpeace had been "scare-mongering" as it knew there were strict labelling laws, which allow for a 1 per cent unintentional presence of GM.

Rich said Wyeth had incredible processes to make sure its product was clear of GM.

Green MP Sue Kedgley said the issue highlighted the "utterly woeful" labelling laws on products that might contain any GM. Any amount in products should be declared, even at low levels.

She said New Zealand should do random testing annually on some products, like formula, to be sure they were not genetically modified.

She said studies overseas, which "have largely been ignored", had claimed animals that had eaten GM foods had shown some adverse effects to organs like the liver.

rachel.grunwell@hos.co.nz