Fear about genetically modified food has not reached the same fevered pitch in Canada as it has in Europe, but more Canadians oppose GM food than did a year ago, according to research done by Unilever Canada, makers of Lipton products and Becel margarine.
Last summer, Canadians were evenly split on the issue of GM food, said Peter Elwood, the company’s senior vice-president.
This summer, 60 percent of Canadians said they oppose GM food, Elwood told the annual meeting of the Crop Protection Institute held here two weeks ago.
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But this doesn’t mean food manufacturers have been flooded with phone calls or e-mail from concerned consumers.
Eight major Canadian food manufacturers tracked consumer responses between January and July this year, said Elwood.
Out of 1.47 million calls and letters, 2,846 were about GM food. Of those, 1,800 were related to a Greenpeace campaign directed at Kellogg’s Canada.
The environmental lobby group say Kellogg’s tells European consumers it won’t use GM corn in cereals. But the company won’t do the same for Canadians, Greenpeace contends.
Greenpeace has not been able to whip up public frenzy against GM food in Canada like its sister organization has done in Europe.
“Greenpeace has been frankly somewhat or woefully … unsuccessful,” said Elwood.
Over the past year, more Canadians have become aware of GM food, according to Unilever research. Last summer, only 40 percent of Canadians had heard about the issue.
This summer, 70 percent were aware.
Less than 60 percent of Americans are aware of GM food, said Elwood, while in Europe, the number rises close to 90 percent.
More than 90 percent of Canadians want GM foods labeled, he said. Food safety is the main concern.
“After all, genetic modification isn’t a term that gives you great confidence about the safety of the food,” said Elwood.
Most Canadians aren’t aware of the rigorous review process for GM food, Elwood added.
The company’s research showed consumers find health professionals, farmers and scientists to be the three most credible speakers on GM issues. Researchers also measured consumer response to statements about GM food, and found negative messages are three times stronger than positive messages.
The federal government seems more comfortable with the GM issue a year after concerns broke, said Elwood, who noted the Liberal caucus has been quiet about the issue as stakeholder groups work on various reviews of biotechnology and labeling.
Elwood said he doesn’t think GM food will become an election issue.
