We received this statement from FUTURELIFE in response to the article about the African Centre for Biosafety testing South African food products for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

FUTURELIFE® announces NON-GMO commitment.

In 2012 the African Center for Biosafety released a report specifying that FUTURELIFE® had failed to adhere to South Africa's mandatory genetically modified labelling requirement. In response the company in 2013 announced a comprehensive effort to ensure that all the products originating from its factory are produced from NON-GMO material.

The company has implemented the following process and procedures to adhere to its NON-GMO label.

Farmers are sourced who only grow NON-GMO crops in areas where cross pollination with GMO crops does not occur. Farmers provide a certificate specifying that the seeds that are used are NON-GMO. Compliance is spot checked on a regular basis. Storage facilities where raw materials are kept are kept clean and free of any GMO produce. Raw materials are materials are processed and cooked in such a way that there is no risk of cross contamination from other GMO products.

The company has announced a 16 and 10 point check system for Maize and Soya beans respectively which include the following:

MAIZE

1. Before harvesting, the status of maize is tested on the farm to ensure compliance. This testing is done by independent third party contractors.
2. Specific silos are allocated and certified by Co-ops for the delivering and storage of NON-GMO maize.
3. Various farmers deliver NON-GMO maize to silos at the Co-ops.
4. For the 2014, 15 harvesting season ISO-Foods maize will be from Afgri’s Dryden silo.
5. A specific Folio has been allocated by Afgri for the delivering of maize on our behalf.
6. When the farmer delivers to the silo he delivers on the specific portfolio and the product gets certified as NON-GMO.
7. Testing of silos are being done pre-delivery and certified.
8. The Co-op certifies the product as NON-GMOwhen loading out.
9. The transporter ensures his trucks are clean and free from any other products.
10. When receiving the product at the processing facility the maize is tested for its status again.
11. A typical sample would be drawn from 3 different areas on the truck.
12. The sample is tested by way of a strip test (AgraStrip GMO) for its status. The test is either positive or negative.
13. Once the test is negative the truck would be offloaded and the maize is ready for processing.
14. The plant is cleaned thoroughly on a weekly basis to mitigate the risk of contamination.
15. Finished products are stored separate to ensure no risk of contamination.
16. All trucks are inspected for cleanness and contamination risk before loading products to customers.

SOYA BEANS

1. Before harvesting, the status of soybeans is tested on the farm to ensure compliance. Samples are drawn from the farm and the farm storage facilities.
2. Unlike Maize, Co-ops do not allocate storage facilities for NON-GMO soybeans.
3. Currently the beans are transported and received and stored in bags at the processing facility.
4. When receiving the product at the processing facility the soybeans are tested for a status.
5. A representative sample from each bag is drawn to ensure compliance.
6. The sample is tested by way of a strip test (AgraStrip GMO) for its status. The test is either positive or negative.
7. Once the test is negative the truck would be offloaded and the soybeans are ready for processing.
8. The plant is cleaned thoroughly by way of a standard HACCP procedure before production start.
9. Finished products are stored separate to ensure no risk of contamination.
10. All trucks are inspected for cleanliness and contamination risk before loading products to customers.

Source

FUTURELIFE® Health Products cc
South Africa