(OTTAWA) As members of the UN body responsible for setting international food standards begin meeting today in Ottawa, The Council of Canadians has joined with the U.S.-based Consumers Union and the worldwide Consumers International to call on the UN body to catch up to consumer demand and recommend labelling of genetically engineered (GE) food. The EU has already introduced labelling requirements for genetically modified foods, and consumer concern has additionally led to large European retailers guaranteeing that their food products are "GE-Free."

"Polls show conclusively that Canadians want genetically engineered foods to be separated and labelled, but our own government’s position says otherwise. Just who exactly are they representing at this meeting?" said Peter Bleyer, Executive Director of The Council of Canadians. "If we continue to mix genetically engineered crops with regular food, we can soon expect to lose some of our most important markets in Europe and elsewhere," Bleyer continued. The 100,000-member Council of Canadians works on social policy and trade issues.

"Consumers have a right to know whether or not they are eating strawberries with fish genes, or corn with scorpion genes. Codex is miles behind consumer demand on this issue. This week they have a chance to catch up," said Julian Edwards, Director General of Consumers International, a federation of 246 consumer organizations in 110 countries.

The Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Labelling meets in Ottawa this week to discuss, in part, the labelling of what some call "Frankenfoods" – foods that have been genetically modified with genes from other species to enhance certain, usually market-driven, characteristics. Canada opposes a labelling requirement for GE foods. Codex Alimentarius is a UN body that sets international standards for foods.

"These genetically altered foods may look and taste the same, but can carry unknown allergens and pose environmental risks currently being debated throughout the global scientific community," said Jean Halloran, Director of the U.S. Consumer Policy Institute, which is affiliated with Consumer Reports magazine. "The concern about their health and environmental effects has trickled down to consumers who demand a right to know what they are buying."