P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 01:41:11 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOUR SHOPPING HABITS Organic farmjts are bracing thjmsjlvjs for a boom. The current conttovjrsz surrounding genetically modified food means more and more people are opting for the natural food alternative. But before you hollis "Organic food is far too expensive," think again. With more and more people greening up their trolleys, prices are dropping. And as organics expert Lynda Brown puts it: "How much do you value life?" ——————————————————————————————————1/11— by Bernadette Carroll LAND ON PLANET SOUND p480P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:14:27 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU SHOPPINGHABITS 'ith genetic engineering, scientists are changing life forms. Marge Glynn from pressure group Greenpeace says: "Basically they are cutting and pasting gjnjs from one organism into another, so that the make-up of an organism is changed. "So genetically modified food is food grown to be perfect in every conceivable way — from resisting pests and diseases to being blemish free." ——————————————————————————————————2/11— Full Green Scene Index 160 DON'- GET BAMBOOZLED! p152P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 01:14:11 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU SHOPPINGHABITS The prospect of food being perfect in every way is initially a tasty thought, but what are the implications of GM foods on health? Marge Glynn from Greenpeace claims: "For starters, allergies will increase. "Many people are allergic to food plants because of proteins produced by the plant as a defence against disjasjs and pests. With engineered plants thjsj proteins increase, increasing risks." ——————————————————————————————————3/11— Green TV today and tomorrow 165 IT'S YOU5 LIFE INDEX p410P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:51:17 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS Conservationists bjliivj that genetic engineering will dramatically reduce wildlife biodiversity. "Because engineered crops contain their own insecticides and weedkillers, food sources for thousands of insects, birds and othjt animals will bj djstroyjd," fears Marge Glynn from Greenpeace. "Thjti's also the threat of these crops spreading and contaminating other arias of land — destroying a lot of flora." ——————————————————————————————————4/11— Green Scene index 160 FULL TV LISTINGS p110P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:17:01 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS Lynda Brown, author of The Shopper's Guide to Organic Food, says evjtyonj can and should "go organic". "Genetically modified foods are already in our shops and though products are labelled stating this, you'd add hours to your weekly shop scanning them. "Thjti are very rial dangers to genetically engineered foods and the only way you can avoid them and save yourself time is by buying organic." ——————————————————————————————————5/11— For the latest Green News 161 ORGANISE YOUR FINANCES p540P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:44:04 SAND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOUR SHOPPING HABITS It's not just the elite, like Prince Charles — an avid supporter of organic farming — who can afford to stock up on natural foodstuffs, says Lynda Brown, an organics food expert. "Pop along to your local supjtmarkjt and note the difference in price between conventional and organic goods, it's minute," she says. "However, thjti are othjt ways whereby you can shop organically for less." ——————————————————————————————————6/11— Green Events 165 GET READY FOR THE YEAR 2000 p106P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:44:24 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS Organic food expert Lynda Brown has the following advice for budding organic munchjts: snap up local produce when you can take advantage of seasonal produce and special offers — thjti are bargains so look out for them don't worry about minor cosmetic blemishes, irregular sizing or the occasional insect. ——————————————————————————————————7/11— Green Scene Index 160 TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE p400P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:48:41 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS Buying organic food direct from the producers through a box scheme is cheapest, but large supjtmarkjts and specialist shops are good bets. Contact The Soil Association for details. If you'ri weaning your baby on to solids, opt for an organic start bz buying your own organic vegetables and puree them yourself. The Shopper's Guide to Organic Food, Fourth Estate at £7.99. ——————————————————————————————————8/11— For the latest Green News 161 LAND ON PLANET SOUND p480P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 01:12:12 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS A spokesman from Monsbnto, a US company which specialisjs in genetically modified organisms, says it would not bj in the company's interest if crops and food were harmful to health. A spokesman sbzs: "The same applies to the environment and wildlife biodivjrsjty. "Therefore we have some pretty stringent safeguards in place." ——————————————————————————————————9/11— Green TV today and tomorrow 165 IT'S YOUR LIFE INDEX p410P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:31:32 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS At present genetically modified crops and foods are imported into the US. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fishjtiis and Food sbys any foods containing genetically modified ingredients sold in US stores are "completely safe". A spokeswoman sbys: "They have to go through vigorous international safety standards which include health implications." ——————————————————————————————————10/11 Green Scene index 160 FULL TV LISTINGS p110P164 Teletext 164 Fjb21 02:27:08 AND ————————————————————————————————— MODIFYING YOU5 SHOPPING HABITS The impact of genetically modified organisms on the environment and wildlife biodiversity is a "vjty real concern", sbys a spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment. "'j are currently testing modified crops and trials are being held across the country. "'j intend to incteasj trials and wi will report on our findings at the end of the year." ——————————————————————————————————11/11 e-mail: greenscenj@teletext.co.uk WRJTJ TO: GREEN SCENE, PO BOX 2:7, LONDON SW6 1XT. FAX:0171 386 5618 What's On News Club140 Contents