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Laugh of the day -- Novartis insists no GMOs in products: "[Our] products are certified GMO free... South African moms should feel completely confident... we're devoted to upholding the safety and nutritional value of all our products."
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Novartis insists no GMOs in products
By Ray Faure
Business Day 23/08/2001, South Africa;
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,914074-607-78-0,00.ht

As environmental activist group Greenpeace protested outside the Swiss headquarters of Novartis Consumer Health in Basel, the pharmaceutical giant's South African operation moved quickly to dispel concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in its products. Les Wood, CEO of Novartis South Africa, assured South Africans on Thursday that all Gerber baby food products were "totally free of GMOs".

"The Greenpeace protest was directly referring to cereal products available only in the Philippines. Our ingredients are 100% safe. We strictly follow the stringent rules of the US FDA, and the World Health Organization CODEX. These rules were developed to protect and assure the safety of consumers, and we will always abide, if not surpass, these rules to ensure the safety of our consumers," Wood declared. "Novartis Consumer Health worldwide is committed to consumer safety and welfare. This is why we only use approved and safe ingredients in all our products," he assured. "All Gerber nutrition products available in South Africa, are imported from the USA, the lead country in baby food development and manufacture worldwide. Our products are developed in conjunction with leading paediatricians and concerned consumer groups," Wood explained. "Gerber has full control over the crop development, harvesting and production of finished product. Indeed, the very seed from which Gerber food is grown, is guaranteed to have no GMO substances.

Within the farming community, Gerber controls and prescribes the methodology, which leads to the guarantees that there are no GMO additives at any stage in the supply cycle. "Gerber products are certified GMO free in the United States and concerned consumer groups have been given free access to the production and development of the Gerber baby food products. "South African moms should feel completely confident regarding the quality of the product," he added. "Gerber has established process expertise that ensures no added salt, sugar and starch in their products.

Our major concern is baby wellness and we're devoted to upholding the safety and nutritional value of all our products."

With annual sales topping almost $30-billion, Novartis operates in some 140 countries worldwide. I-Net-Bridge