'GMO-free' peanut oils panned by food experts   

福臨門等花生油標非轉基因遭疑 轉基因花生尚未問世

轉基因食品是否安全目前社會各界爭論不休，導致消費者也是談之色變。上周末結束的2014國際食品安全大會上，專家指出，我國對轉基因食品有相應的標識規范，但是一些商家“陰性標識”，如花生油打著非轉基因旗號涉嫌“不正當競爭”，因為目前尚未研發出轉基因花生。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – At the 2014 International Forum on Food Safety held last week, experts said that some peanut oils labeled "GMO-free" on the Chinese market may be guilty of unfair competition, as genetically modified peanuts haven't been produced yet, the Beijing Times reported.

The brands in question include Luhua, Arawana and Fulinmen.

Zhuo Qin, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said GMO-free labeling on products is banned in some countries, as it could mislead consumers and create unfair competition. "Even though it's allowed in China, I think the labeling shouldn't be used on products when the GM version doesn't exist," Zhuo added.

Chen Junshi, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a researcher at China's Center for Food Safety, also said the labeling was unfair because "It's a way for companies to pander to public opinion and mislead consumers."

Chu Zhiheng, brand director of Luhua Oil, had no comment about the criticisms. Arawana said its labeling was consistent with reality and "based on the needs of market competition." Fulinmen hasn't responded.