In a controversial move, the New Zealand government has repealed long-standing food safety laws that mandated labeling for genetically modified (GMO) and non-traditional foods, raising alarms about consumer rights and safety. This significant change means that products like lab-grown meat, backed by figures like Bill Gates, can now be sold in supermarkets without any indication of their origin. During an announcement filled with levity, Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Minister for Science and Technology Judith Collins touted the deregulation as a means to promote scientific advancement and economic growth. However, critics argue that this decision undermines the fundamental consumer right to make informed choices about what they eat, as well as the crucial principle of traceability that has been a cornerstone of food safety since the early 20th century. This article explores the implications of this deregulation and what it means for New Zealand consumers.
The change of law means Bill Gates’ lab-grown GMO meat products will be sold in supermarkets without any labels or warnings indicating the origin of the “meat.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon joined Minister for Science and Technology Judith Collins to announce the new law in a jovial social media post that full of bonhomie and laughter that was designed to mask a sinister intent. Watch:
Hatchard reports: According to their vaudeville performance, biotechnology deregulation will enable amazing scientists to mitigate climate change, improve our health, boost our horticulture, and grow our economy.
Collins effused “it is so great to be part of this government.”
Luxon agreed, calling it “an amazing day.”
As he sees it, some laws formulated in 1996 to protect consumers make no sense in 2024 because they prevent incredibly smart biotechnology scientists from releasing their products into the environment without having to go through public scrutiny.
Luxon added, “We’re going to make sure we do it safely, don’t worry about that” (at this point Luxon appeared to be channeling Jacinda Ardern).
It would be easy to poke fun, but the consequences are too far-reaching and serious for levity.
The 1996 laws do not prevent biotech food products from reaching the market as Luxon implied. Instead, they require that gene-altered ingredients be labelled as such.
In other words, Luxon is taking away the right of consumer choice, the right to know what we are eating. In the near future “incredibly smart scientists” will be deciding for us.
Aside from our right to know, there is one other very important reason for the 1996 law. It involves one word: “traceability.”
If novel gene-altered food substitutes are not labelled, there will be no way for anyone to find out if they are causing illness.
Compulsory food labelling has been a fundamental part of our global food safety system since it was first introduced in 1913.
Bypassing this principle is a key strategy of biotech marketing for the simple reason that consumers don’t want biotech foods and manufacturers don’t want to face lawsuits.
Thus, in one stroke Luxon’s government has taken us back into the 19th century world of food adulteration, in his words: “amazing.”