Novartis confirms GMO soy presence in baby food

Swiss healthcare group Novartis AG confirmed on Thursday allegations from environmental group Greenpeace that some samples of baby food it sold in the Philippines contained genetically modified soy. Novartis stressed the products were safe but added that it was seeking a new supplier. "In the light of stringent tests performed by an independent laboratory which confirmed that the small amounts of soy in these products were in part genetically enhanced, Novartis Consumer Health is now seeking alternative sources of the ingredient for the Philippines,"​ it said in a letter to Greenpeace that was released to the media. Greenpeace activists had lined up dozens of plastic baby dolls outside Novartis headquarters in Basel in August to draw attention to allegations that genetically modified products had made their way into baby food made by Novartis unit Gerber. Novartis has traced its decision to eschew so-called GMOs to consumer preferences rather than any food safety concerns. Companies have been developing genetically modified crops to fight pests and plant diseases, but some consumers have baulked at eating them for fear they could lead to health problems.