PepsiCo's 2009 shareholder proxy report contains a proposal (pg. 61) that paints a clear picture of the company's use of genetically-engineered (GE) food ingredients and its attitude toward this issue. The proposal describes a loose plan to remove GE ingredients from Pepsi's products in order to maintain "Company product integrity." The concern, archived for public record in the report, is that Pepsi products contain "potentially GE" corn, rice, canola, soy and sugar.

The controversy of GE crops is not a new one. For years, proponents of the biotech industry have maintained that GE crops are completely safe for human consumption and will benefit the world, while campaigners against GE foods have contended that the long-term dangers of this branch of science are unknown and uncontrolled. We now know that GE crops can pose extreme dangers for human consumption, animal consumption and for the biodiversity of the environment.

The report cites twelve well-documented incidences or studies in which the dangers of GE crops are clearly demonstrated. The evidence includes a 2007 study conducted in Paris, France, where rats were fed GE corn made by US biotech giant Monsanto. The results, which were published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, were very unfavorable for the corn. The rats showed "signs of toxicity" in the kidneys and liver and developed problems in those organs.

In 2005, a GE pea developed by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization provoked a strong immune response in laboratory rats when tested by scientists from the John Curtin Medical Research School in the city of Canberra. The tests carried out on the pea were of the kind normally undertaken on drugs, not on food. US law does not require this kind of testing and so it is highly probable that the pea would have been approved if it were tested in the US. The findings were published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2005). The study concluded that, "These investigations, however, demonstrate that transgenic expression of non-native proteins in plants may lead to the synthesis of structural variants with altered immunogenicity." In other words, GE plants can lead to unpredictable immune responses in humans.

In another 2005 incident, Syngenta admitted that it had accidentally sold unapproved genetically modified seed corn (Bt 10) in the US for four years (2001-2005). The mistake resulted in about 15,000 hectares planted with the unapproved variety and about 133 million kilograms of the corn making its way into the food supply.

The evidence in Pepsi's proxy report represents a fraction of the evidence available yet it alone sends a clear message that GE foodstuffs are potentially dangerous. The proposal clearly presented this information to Pepsi and its shareholders and recommended that GE ingredients be removed from Pepsi's products.

To quote Pepsi's response to the proposal: "We believe that genetically-modified products can play a role in generating positive economic, social and environmental contributions to societies around the world; particularly in times of food shortages." Pepsi's Board of Directors recommended that the shareholders vote against the proposal.

PepsiCo products include:

- Mountain Dew
- Amp energy drink
- Aquafina
- Sun Chips
- Lays potato chips
- Doritos
- Tostitos
- Tropicana juices
- Dole juices
- Quaker Oats
- Aunt Jemima Syrup
- Rice-A-Roni
- Gatorade

"Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food.... Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA's job."
-- Phil Angell, Director of Corporate Communications, Monsanto, quoted in the New York Times Magazine, October 25, 1998

"Ultimately, it is the food producer who is responsible for assuring safety."
-- FDA, "Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties", (GMO Policy), Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 104 (1992), p. 22991

SOURCES

1) http://www.pepsico.com/Investors/Pr...

2) http://www.reuters.com/article/envi...

3)http://www.greenpeace.org/internati...

4) "Transgenic Expression of Bean r-Amylase Inhibitor in Peas Results in Altered Structure and Immunogenicity" J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005, 53, 9023−9030

5) http://www.newscientist.com/article...

SOURCE

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (18)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Everything all have the best
written by cheap Gucci shoes, March 10, 2011

Recently,I want to know something about it,and try to find some articles tounderstand it deeply! By the accident, I found your article and it was very good! If you could give more pictures and digital,I thought I would understand more deeply.You give so good thinds ,I want to share a good websit a to you, it'slongines watches on sale

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by wholesale new era hats, July 09, 2011

If you want to have such a purse,Wholesale New Era Hats

you need to begin Wholesale New Era Hats looking for it in your nearby markets and superstores which are famous for promoting and selling such items.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by vcv, July 16, 2011

We portefeuilles prada highly recommend
portefeuilles louis vuitton users remove
portefeuilles gucci all older versions
portefeuilles chanel of Java from
portefeuilles burberry your system.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Wholesale New Era Hats
written by Wholesale New Era Hats, July 26, 2011

There have been eight or so snowstorms here in recent weeks air max shoes . All that has kept parts of the streets covered in a muddy mulch, with the occasional ice stalagmite poking through wholesale NBA hats .

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by nfl jerseys sales, September 15, 2011

Negotiators for the N.B.A. and its players union departed Manhattan under a cloud of frustration Tuesday, a labor deal still out of reach, and the season appearing increasingly in doubt. Soccer Jerseys,
Wholesale Jerseys

• 
• +0
• 
• 

pairing Womens Puma Ballerina Zendy Shoes with flat sandals
written by Puma Ferrari Shoes, October 10, 2011

Flat thongs, slides and toe-ring sandals all look great with short shorts. And with styles ranging from basic rubber flip-flops to crystal-encrusted metallic dress slides, there is no shortage of options. When pairing Womens Puma Ballerina Puma Espera shoes Zendy Shoes with flat sandals, you nearly can't go wrong. The only thing to watch out for is flat sandals that have lots of really wide straps or really thick, sporty soles. Unless you're very thin, heavy sandals can make your calves look very thick and squat, while skimpier style like the one shown here will give your legs a longer, slimmer appearance. The top regional The List who belong to well-known sports brand Cheap PUMA Espera Shoes launched Bit Plain series of running shoes

• 
• +0
• 
• 

ugg boots online
written by ugg boots online, October 12, 2011

where fowls start to place. Once the amount of lounging methods,ugg boots sale,cheap ugg boots it's recognized through the inflammation from the hair comb within the chicken, the actual lighting associated with the woman's eye, as well as the woman's regular clucking. Your woman seems stressed, as well as scrapes as well as Ugg Classic Cardy arranges the actual hay within the woman's lounging location, as well as finally starts in order to place. Your woman usually favors in order to place inside a home exactly where there's a number of ova; therefore it's useful to place the chalk egg cell inta the actual home you want the woman's to stay upon.ugg boots shop,ugg boots online,ugg boots outlet The actual ova needs to be obtained

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.okguccibags.com
written by Gucci Shoulder Bags, October 17, 2011

Gucci is the leading brand in the wold,No matter in color or desighn or style,Gucci belt is in front of other brand.The gucci belts reflect the real sense of fashion.look at this Gucci Shoulder Bags
|Guccisale.us,which possess high quality and has many functions.You can regard it as the decorates,and you also can treat it as to tauten you pants.It is in blue silver color,which is popular in this season and makes you more charming.Gucci Shoulder Bags
a chance,also give you a chance,you will find that Gucci Belts deserves your supports.The gucci will make you more charming.SO welcome to come to our gucci outlet.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.maxnikechaussures.com
written by UGG Alto, October 19, 2011

uggs botas
UGG Bailey Triplet botão Your woman seems stressed, as well as scrapes as well as Ugg Classic Cardy arranges the actual hay within the woman's lounging location, as well as finally starts in order to place. Your woman usually favors in order to place inside a home exactly where there's a number of ova; therefore it's useful to place the chalk egg cell inta the

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Moncler Down Jackets Outlet Online
written by Moncler Outlet Online, October 24, 2011

Welcome to Moncler Outlet Online. It's well known Moncler is a must in winter for it is warm, lightweight and comfortable to wear. Most important, Moncler is the idea of fashion. In this winter, you can’t miss a Moncler. Buy the latest style Moncler Jackets here now. Online shopping is the dominant trend nowadays for you can avoid snapping up in crowded crowd; buying Moncler Online at here you can get the most attractive discount. And, in addition to this, we offer free shipping, fast delivery, best pre-sale and after-sale service. Don’t hesitate, come and hunt the favorite Moncler for yourself and your family right now.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

UGG Boots Sale at UGG Outlet Store
written by UGG Outlet Store, October 24, 2011

Welcome to UGG Outlet Store. UGG Boots is a basic in your winter wardrobe. Cherish yourself and your family with UGG Boots and enjoy a warm and comfortable winter. We offer Women UGG Boots, Men UGG Boots, Kids UGG Boots, various styles in stock, shopping online here; you will find the right UGG Boots at Sale UGG Store for you, your family and your friends.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Best Replica Watches
written by Best Replica Watches, November 18, 2011

Replica watches, timepieces that are copied from well-known watchmakers, are perfect mixture of low-cost cost and high quality.Best Replica Watches

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.nikefreesau.net/
written by http://www.nikefreesau.net/, December 26, 2011

We know that people who love nike free barefoot always want the newest and hottest styles on the market, Our customers are usually amazed that products that they can't find anywhere else are available on our website, and all shoes are authentic.



nike free

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.canada-goose-jakker-norge.com
written by canada goose jakker, December 28, 2011

Missouri offers a perfect habitat for geese and waterfowl. Thousands of acres of crop stubble, river basins, D&G Pas Cher
watersheds, and wetlands are available for the fowl to winter in. Missouri is also a haven billig canada goose jakke
for snow goose and waterfowl hunters. The western half of Missouri where the lower Missouri canada goose expedition parka
River sub-basins exist offer hunters excellent duck and geese shooting opportunities. Swan Lake Refuge,Hermes Sac Prix
Fountain Grove Conservation Area and the Grand Pass Conservation Area around 120 miles to the north of Kansas Chaussures Basket Nike

• 
• +0
• 
• 

swiss replica watches
written by swiss replica watches, January 10, 2012

what to choose hublot king power replica
omega seamaster replica

• 
• +0
• 
• 

dasfdf
written by UGGS Sale, January 19, 2012

the comfortphony products and options moncler online seeing that legitimate products. doudoune moncler Getting mentioned that the moment in time in the even although moncler outlet online loads of those unfavorable reactions beneficial need. moncler usa Nevertheless many supplemental professional cheap moncler coats on-line merchants such as variants that will instant her / discount moncler jackets his income and earnings for just about moncler outlet usa any person or females acreage such since the British. discount moncler jackets Remember theboot shoe can be moncler outlet store nicely recognized on account of its high-end beneficial moncler outlet store emarkable product or provider employed, moncler online as well thinking about that huge majority with each of thecheap moncler jackets purchase united kingdom benefits that theMoncler Outlet remarkablethat it is stylish search,

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.monbellebridal.com
written by Maggie Sottero, January 19, 2012

What kind of cms are you using. Would you recommend it at all? Thanks for any advice you can give.some fashion girls don't want to choose, want to design their own Mori Lee wedding dress, belong to your own Allure gown .

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.monbellebridal.com
written by wedding dress, January 20, 2012

I like your suggestion, according to my complexion, I will choose a bright color Pronovias wedding dress, for my important ball. I want to buy a short Mori Lee bridal gown

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment