Novartis drops GMOs from foods

Novartis Consumer Health told Greenpeace that the company has halted the use of genetically modified organisms in its food products worldwide and has halted production of a product because it could not guarantee that all ingredients used in its production are GMO-free. The decision follows the August 1999 move by the company's Gerber unit to eliminate GM ingredients from its baby foods. However, the Novartis Consumer Health action does not affect other units of the Swiss company that produce and sell GM seeds and crops.

In a letter to Greenpeace, Novartis said the decision is a response to consumer preferences and fears. According to Novartis, company suppliers have been instructed "to eliminate, everywhere, at every production stage, the use of genetically modified organisms in our products as of June 30. From June 30, 2000 all products produced by our suppliers are guaranteed GMO-free." The decision applies to products sold under the Gerber, Ovaltine and Wasa brand names. Norvartis also said it had ceased production of Cereal Chocosoja, a candy bar, because it could not obtain guarantees that all ingredients are GMO-free. ...