In April 2013 M&S, Sainsbury’s, the Co-op, and Tesco decided to allow genetically modified (GM) animal feed into their supply chain. Only Waitrose still actively excludes GM animal feed from their supply chain. Sainsbury’s will exclude GM feed only from the supply chain for their “Taste the Difference” range.

Thank you Waitrose While complaining to the supermarkets who have allowed GM animal feed into their food chain, we should not forget to thank the one UK supermarket who has so far resisted this change of policy. Waitrose is now the only supermarket in the UK where we can feel assured that the meat, milk products and eggs we buy are from animals raised on non-GM animal feed. Read, edit (if you like) and then send the letter in the link below. This will not only thank Waitrose for staying GMO-free but encourage them to stay firm in their non-GMO stance. Send a ‘thank you’ letter to Waitrose.

The Co-op and Tesco have misled their customers by claiming that GM feed given to animals is not detectable in animal products. This is untrue.

Several research studies have found that GM DNA from animal feed is present in the milk and meat that we eat. The UK Government’s Food Standards Agency has confirmed that “DNA fragments” of all types in food can be taken up by the digestive tract.

The production of GM soy involves heavy spraying with Roundup herbicide, which harms the health of people living in soy-producing areas of South America.

In addition, a study published in June 2013 showed that GM feed harmed the health of pigs. So there are animal welfare concerns with GM feed.

The head of Waitrose has said that there is plenty of non-GM soy and that the price difference of the meat and dairy is negligible, so supermarkets should stop using that excuse and provide the products that we consumers want.

Please ask the supermarkets to reverse their policy and exclude GM feed from their supply chains. As long as GM feed remains in their supply chains, they must label products from GM-fed animals so that we can avoid products from GM-fed animals.

Send the letter below to M&S, Sainsbury’s, the Co-op, and Tesco. Please add or substitute your own comments to make your letter even more powerful.

To: customer.service @ tesco.co.uk, customer.service @ sainsburys.co.uk, customer.relations @ co-op.co.uk, customer.services @ marks-and-spencer.co.uk I urge you to reverse your recent decision to remove the non-GM requirement for animal feed in your supply chain and ensure that no animals in your supply chain are given feed containing GMOs. As long as GM feed remains in your supply chains, please label products from GM-fed animals so that I can avoid them. Several research studies have found that GM DNA in animal feed can be taken up by the animal’s organs and can be detected in the milk and meat that we eat. This has been recently confirmed by the Government’s Food Standards Agency. GM soy for animal feed is grown with massive amounts of Roundup herbicide, which harms the health of people living in soy producing countries. Scientific studies have linked the spraying with high rates of birth defects and cancer. In addition, many studies show that GM feed has toxic effects on animals (Carman et al, Journal of Organic Systems 8, 2013; Seralini et al, Food and Chemical Toxicology 50, 2012; Seralini et al, Environmental Sciences Europe 23, 2011). Therefore feeding livestock GM feed is an animal welfare issue. The head of Waitrose has said that there is plenty of non-GM soy and that the price difference of the meat and dairy is negligible. Waitrose is now the only UK supermarket where I can safely shop and be assured that their meat, milk products and eggs are from animals raised on non-GM animal feed. If you want to keep my custom, please reverse your decision. Sincerely, Your name and address as entered below will be added. You do not need to add your name above. Name: * Email: * City: * Check if you want to receive alerts about this campaign. Check if you want to receive alerts about related campaigns.

What about the other supermarkets?

There are other UK supermarkets who have allowed (or have not bothered to monitor) GM animal feed in their supply chain. Please email a separate letter to them:

Asda: customer.services@asda.co.uk

Morrisons: customerservice@morrisonsplc.co.uk

Aldi: customer-services@aldi.co.uk

Lidl: customer.services@lidl.co.uk

Iceland: customer.services@iceland.co.uk

Budgens: customerservice@musgrave.co.uk

Netto: info@nettoandco.co.uk