GM isn’t scary, says SOFHT chairman

That’s the opinion of Alan Lacey, the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology’s new chairman, who said the benefits of GM food outweighed the arguments against it.

“It shouldn’t be scary, there’s got to be an illustration of the benefits of GM to consumers,” ​said Lacey.

“Consumers want the choice and they want the power to buy what they want to buy.” ​

Many benefits​

GM food offered consumers and food manufacturers many benefits in terms of shelf-life, taste and nutrition, he added.

“You could enhance fruit and vegetables so they are more attractive, ​[have] a better flavour and a good degree of ripeness.”​

One of the major issues keeping GM foods off UK supermarket shelves was the lack of transparency in current debates, he claimed.

“There’s got to be transparency in the debate and the government has to manage that,” ​said Lacey.

“Although, saying that, there is mistrust in the government and I think consumer organisations will also have a large role to play.”​