The UK government's Genetic Technology Bill, which removes most regulatory controls from gene edited crops and foods in England, is making swift progress but is mired in controversy. As drafted, it has raised multiple concerns about its scope, about the legality of some of its provisions, and, given public demand to see genetically engineered food regulated and labelled, about democracy, writes Pat Thomas of Beyond GM. The government has, nevertheless, pursued its deregulatory agenda with relentless energy, oblivious to anything beyond “deliver, deliver, deliver”. It has brooked no criticism, addressed no questions, and, thanks to its still healthy majority, strong-armed the bill through its early stages unamended. Reaction

 

 

Just a few years ago, with a blockbuster initial public offering from Beyond Meat Inc. and the unveiling of Impossible Foods' Impossible Whopper at Burger King locations, plant-based meats were in the ascendant. Now, after once enjoying double-digit growth, sales are not just flat but declining, due to possible saturation of the US market, according to Deloitte Consulting LLP. Sales of refrigerated meat alternatives at retailers are down 10.5% by volume for the 52 weeks ending September 4, 2022. While higher prices are the top reason for the slide, it’s not the only one, according to Jonna Parker, a fresh food specialist at the market research company. “Proteins that were cheaper on a price-per-pound basis did fare better,” Parker said, noting that semi-vegetarian shoppers that may have opted for an alt-product will now just go for the less-expensive real thing. With inflation, consumers have become less willing to pay a premium for fake meat. Taste and health concerns are also playing a role, she said. [GMW: Impossible Foods is the maker of the Impossible Burger, a fake meat burger containing a red blood-like ingredient derived from GMO yeast.] Bloomberg

 

 

Glyphosate has been found in many famous Italian brands of spaghetti. Of the 19 brands examined, more than half contained glyphosate. Spark Chronicles

 

 

Öko-Test, a German consumer magazine, has published the results of a new investigation for which they analysed 29 oat flakes of different brands, purchased in supermarkets (including organic), discount stores, and shops, to detect the possible presence of some controversial substances such as heavy metals (nickel, cadmium, lead and arsenic), mineral oil components (MOSH/MOAH), mould toxins, and pesticides (including glyphosate). Several products were found to be contaminated with mould toxins. Öko-Test found glyphosate in some products and the pesticide chlormequat in two organic products. Thanks to this test, a supplier withdrew its product from the market, after discovering that it was contaminated with the highest level of glyphosate among all the samples analysed and also showed traces of mould toxins. Affidia

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible by readers’ donations. Please support our work with a one-off or regular donation. Thank you!