Wyeth Nutrition statements on genetically modified food

Monday September 27

S-26 Soy product

Wyeth Nutrition's Response to Greenpeace testing of S-26 Soy product

Wyeth Nutrition is concerned by allegations made by Greenpeace in the Sunday Telegraph and on Channel 7's Sunday Program on Sunday 26 September, 2010. The stories were based on independent tests done by Greenpeace and Channel 7 on our S-26 Soy product which found trace GMO. Wyeth Nutrition has only seen one of those test results which showed GMO trace levels of under 0.1%, well below the Australian Food Standards ANZ (FSANZ) Code of 1%.

Wyeth Nutrition takes the quality and safety of its products very seriously. Ensuring the safety and nutritional value of our infant formulas is our fundamental operating priority. For formula-fed babies who need to avoid dairy products, such as those with cow's milk allergy, soy based products, including S-26 Soy, are an important alternative.

Since 2001, Wyeth Nutrition has had a strict policy of using only non-genetically modified (GMO) ingredients in all its infant formulas. All suppliers of soy or maize-based ingredients provide either identity-preserved certification or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing that is conducted independently and renewed on a biennial basis.

Identity preserved certification is a rigorous process by a third-party that traces the ingredient from being a seed to a finished product shipped to us (such as soy bean oil), ensuring segregation of non GMO ingredients during all phases of the farming, handling and processing cycle.

PCR testing detects sequences of DNA that are specific to genetically modified organisms and is highly sensitive.

Health authorities acknowledge that products grown without genetic modification may unintentionally contain traces of GMOs, due to cross-pollination during cultivation, harvesting, storage, transport or processing despite all rigorous processes that ingredients suppliers put in place. This is a well-recognised phenomenon. This is why countries around the world allow a varying amount to be present without requiring a finished product to be labelled as containing GMO. The regulations in Australia are among some of the strictest. Wyeth Nutrition asserts that the trace amounts of GMO found were unintentional.

FSANZ regulatory limits permit amounts of no more than 1% of genetically modified material per ingredient that is unintentionally present, without requiring a product to be labeled as containing GMO. Wyeth Nutrition is complying with these labeling laws.

Wyeth Nutrition products undergo rigorous quality monitoring to ensure they comply with The Food Standards Code set by FSANZ.

Wyeth Nutrition has a long history of engagement with Greenpeace and is proud that on various occasions since 2003, Greenpeace has listed our company in its Non-GMO Shopping Guide, based on our non GMO policies and procedures. We have evidence to show that we have worked closely with them in the past to respond to their inquiries and surveys.

We are concerned by the allegations made by Greenpeace regarding S-26 Soy and have contacted the organisation to request a copy of the test results in question. On receipt of this information, Wyeth Nutrition would welcome the opportunity to work with Greenpeace and relevant authorities to address the matter in detail.

It is important to stress that the trace GMO ingredient allegedly found in the testing is only related to S-26 Soy and not the S-26 range as there are 8 different S-26 brands.

Wyeth Australia Pty Ltd is part of the Pfizer global group of companies.