Local Trading Standard Office
London Borough of Brent and Harrow
Quality House
249 Willesden Lane
London NW2 5JH

17th May 2008


Dear Sir/Madam,       

Re: GM rice products (Bt63) on sale in Brent

It has been brought to our attention that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recently issued a food alert regarding the contamination of some rice products by illegal genetically modified (GM)rice. Two contaminated foods, both rice noodle products, were found on sale in Asian specialty stores in London in 2006, but the FSA has only just issued the alert.

We are therefore concerned that contaminated food may be on sale in shops in Brent. This is particularly worrying because scientific studies have raised concerns about the risk to human health, particularly the potential to cause food allergies. Worryingly, the FSA says that so little data on Bt63 rice exists that it is not even possible to carry out safety tests.

We urge you to investigate this incident thoroughly. Please can you provide us with details of any action that the Brent and Harrow Trading Standard Office plans to take, including the results of any testing that you carry out.


We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,



Brent Friends of the Earth

Welcome

Genetically-modified food products have hit the news again recently with the discovery that contaminated rice has been sold in London. You can write to the local Trading Standards Office to voice your concern about this. Click here to download a template based on the letter below - simply add your own name and address and print.

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