Müller takes a hit

Volunteers today protested outside the Müller factory at Aretsried/Bavaria, Germany with large billboards reading “GMO scandal at Müllermilch?” after our research has shown that the Muller group - Theo Müller – may not be as GE free as it claims.

When Greenpeace Germany contacted Muller to find out its policy towards using genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) in its products the group claimed to have done everything in its power to exclude GE plants from the feed of their dairy cows.

But our research with Müller’s contract farmers shows a different picture. As of yet there are no controls for the animal feed used by Müller and no corresponding contracts for GE free feeding. Additionally, we found a substantial amount of GE soya in feed samples from four Müllermilch farms.

“The Müller company now has to prove that it doesn’t give consumers empty promises,” says Christoph Then, our GE expert in Germany. “The milk giant must make contracts with the dairy farmers which clearly commit them to feeding their animals without GE soya or GE maize. Müller furthermore has to arrange for sufficient controls. Without these binding steps, the consumer can expect nothing from Müller other than lots of hot air and GE milk.”

Müller also promised that it would not use labelled GE ingredients but it has not extended this guarantee to animal feed for dairy cows. Theo Müller GmbH & Co KG is a market leader in Germany and Great Britain and exports its products to many European countries. Brands include Müller, Weihenstephan, Sachsenmilch and Loose.

More information

- Find out about more German actions.

- Want to get involved in our Trolley Watch? Click here to see how you can help.

- Check out what is happening in your country

- For more information about the implications of the new EU labelling and traceability rules read this.

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