06/August/21

 

Impossible Foods, the US-based fake meat maker that uses genetically engineered ingredients, hopes to get its fake meat Impossible Burger on the market in Australia and New Zealand within the next two years. Food regulator FSANZ has already approved the processing aid - GM soy leghemoglobin (SLH) - that Impossible will add (at 0.8% so it isn't labelled) to make its product look and feel as though it is bleeding, like real meat. Friends of the Earth (FoE) Australia and GeneEthics' objection to the FSANZ approval, submitted in 2020, is available online. The submission points out that SLH does not have a history of safe use in food. GMWatch

 

 

Farmers in Vidarbha, India have once again reported attacks on GM Bt cotton from the pink bollworm pest. Bt cotton is supposed to kill this pest, but they have become resistant via constant exposure to the Bt insecticidal toxins in the crop. Cotton is the main crop in Vidarbha. Farmers who have been using GM Bt cotton seeds developed by Monsanto have faced regular infestations for at least four years. GMWatch

 

 

The pesticide industry's attempt to increase the legal levels of glyphosate (Roundup) in Canadian food has been paused. In a major shift in pesticide policy, the Government of Canada is hitting the pause button to suspend decisions on maximum residue levels (MRL) for glyphosate and any other pesticide under MRL consideration until independent science is available and considered. The Government of Canada will also conduct a targeted review of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Friends of the Earth submitted three science-based submissions on pesticides in the past two months with requests that parallel many of today's announced changes. Environmental Communication Options

 

 

New research has found that women exposed to the herbicide were more likely to have shorter pregnancies, which can increase babies' risk of long-term health problems. The latest study follows two others on glyphosate and pregnancy length, including a 2018 study of 71 pregnant women in Indiana which found that more than 90 percent had glyphosate in their urine. Those with higher glyphosate levels were more likely to have shorter pregnancies, which can increase the risk of infant mortality and long-term health challenges like breathing difficulties and intellectual delays. Environmental Health News