<<"Both Auchan and rival Carrefour say a policy of eradicating GM ingredients from their own products, as heralded by Britain's J. Sainsbury Plc this week, has been in place in their supply chains for over a year.">>
What's particularly upsetting about this is that Auchan & Sainsbury's decision is not just bad science, it's bad business.
Inevitably, some non-GM foods will be in short supply. Will Auchen & Sainsbury stand idly by while their customers buy GM-tomatoes from their competitors? The typical grocery shopper who wants tomatoes (or potatoes, or corn, etc) won't just shop a competitor for that one item. While they are in the competitors store they will shop for other items as well. This is a lot of potentially lost business because of a bad management decision.
Nor does this take into account the generally cheaper prices that GM-foods will have even in the best conditions. Also, what about the consumers who see no danger in GM foods, what about their right to purchase the cheaper and healthier product that they want? Consumerism is about freedom of choice, isn't it? Apparently, not in a Sainsbury store. Not any more.
Sorry, but ultimately the forces of economics will prevail, not the shortsightedness of business managers who are trying to ride a wave of hysteria. |
