Nestle's Genetically Engineered Food Ingredients

In spring 1999, the British, German and Spanish divisions of Switzerland's Nestlé S.A., the world's largest food company, announced that they would eliminate all genetically engineered (GE) ingredients from their products. But Nestlé USA, the company's American division, acknowledges that GE ingredients are used in U.S. products, including three Carnation infant formulas; Carnation powdered milk; Quik; Toll House Chocolate Chips; and Crunch, Butterfinger and KitKat candy bars.

Our Concerns

Long-term studies on the safety of GE crops have not been conducted. Many scientists, including doctors belonging to the British Medical Association, are concerned that GE foods may bring on new allergies, increase antibiotic resistance or have inadvertent toxic effects. Many worry that GE crops, unleashed in our environment, will have irreversible effects, such as creating "superweeds," increasing pesticide resistance, and harming nontarget species, such as Monarch butterflies.

Nestlé USA claims to be receptive to consumer concerns. In a letter to us, Susan Franklin of Nestlé USA Consumer Services wrote:

"In countries where public opinion rejects ingredients derived from genetically modified crops, even though food legislation permits their use, Nestlé respects the consumer's preference and will provide its customers, in as far as technically possible, with products that do not contain these ingredients."

Nestlé believes Americans have no objections to GE foods. Voice your concerns so they'll eliminate GE ingredients in their U.S. products, as their policy states.

By going GE-free, Nestlé USA can set a standard for other companies to follow. Nestlé USA would stimulate demand for non-GE ingredients, such as milk and soy, ensuring that a continuous supply exists for other food processors. Finally, the company would provide a guaranteed market for farmers who plant non-GE crops.

What You Can Do

+Tell Nestlé USA that Americans don't want GE ingredients in Nestlé products. Write to: Joe Weller, Chairman and CEO, Nestlé USA, Inc., 800 N. Brand Bl., Glendale, CA 91203; fax 818/549-6952.