Alpenmilch lacks natural touch

Müller has been caught misleading its customers again this week by insinuating that its 'Alpenmilch' (Alpine milk), produced under its 'Weihenstephan' brand, is made from cows that graze in open pastures, but we have discovered that they are in fact fed on GE feed.

We have launched a new campaign with the help of the Consumers' Centre in Hamburg against Weihenstephan as we believe that consumers are being deceived about the true nature of this food and that they should know about it.

"The term alpine milk creates an image for the consumer of cows feeding in mountain meadows," explained Guenter Hörmann, Managing Director of the Consumer Centre Hamburg.

Weihenstephan's product is sold across Germany under the name 'Alpenmilch', which is misleading to say the least as the cows are not only fed on GE soya, but also GE maize. Our research has revealed that milk from cattle fed with GE maize grown in two fields at a test farm in Munich was supplied to Weihenstephan.

"Weihenstephan's dairy cows have not only been nowhere near the Alps, but they are fed on GE crops, that is a misleading advertisement and is deceiving consumers," said Ulrike Brendel, GE campaigner. "Greenpeace demands that Muller changes to GE free milk as other milk producers have done."

We have together requested that the dairy company stops using the name "Alpenmilch". If the dairy refuses to stop using the name, the Consumers' Centre will take the matter to court.

Legal tactics have already been used by Müller which has applied for a provisional injunction to stop Greenpeace campaigning against its use of GE crops to feed their dairy cattle. In the meantime, Mueller has argued that using only GE free feed is not possible and wants Greenpeace to stop informing consumers about Mueller's 'GE milk'.

"So long as Müller uses GE feed, the company is promoting the dangerous cultivation of GE crops. The pollen from GE maize in Bavaria spreads uncontrolled into the environment and into neighbouring fields, bees carry the pollen over kilometres," explains Brendel. "

"Greenpeace is demanding that the authorities stop growing GE maize on the areas already known and also reveal where the secret GE fields are located. The EU legislation demands that there is a public register for GE crops as there is a necessity for absolute transparency," Brendel says.

Get Involved!

- Call our German Hotline (040-3899 8080) to voice your opinion against GE feed used in the production of milk. Consumers can also protest on line at www.muell-milch.de

- Find out why Müller tries to gag Greenpeace

- Read our story: Müller takes a hit

- Find out about how Gourmet chefs and Greenpeace cook to combat GE

- Read about our Cowcar and its activities

- 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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