'GMO-free' peanut oils panned by food experts   

福临门等花生油标非转基因遭疑 转基因花生尚未问世

转基因食品是否安全目前社会各界争论不休，导致消费者也是谈之色变。上周末结束的2014国际食品安全大会上，专家指出，我国对转基因食品有相应的标识规范，但是一些商家“阴性标识”，如花生油打着非转基因旗号涉嫌“不正当竞争”，因为目前尚未研发出转基因花生。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – At the 2014 International Forum on Food Safety held last week, experts said that some peanut oils labeled "GMO-free" on the Chinese market may be guilty of unfair competition, as genetically modified peanuts haven't been produced yet, the Beijing Times reported.

The brands in question include Luhua, Arawana and Fulinmen.

Zhuo Qin, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said GMO-free labeling on products is banned in some countries, as it could mislead consumers and create unfair competition. "Even though it's allowed in China, I think the labeling shouldn't be used on products when the GM version doesn't exist," Zhuo added.

Chen Junshi, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a researcher at China's Center for Food Safety, also said the labeling was unfair because "It's a way for companies to pander to public opinion and mislead consumers."

Chu Zhiheng, brand director of Luhua Oil, had no comment about the criticisms. Arawana said its labeling was consistent with reality and "based on the needs of market competition." Fulinmen hasn't responded.