Food and Fear

GM food debate escalates in US

Promar study prepares companies for storms to follow

Press Release 24oct00

Alexandria VA -  With ConAgra and Kellogg shutting down processing facilities and Mission Foods joining the stampede to recall tortilla products made with the genetically modified StarLink corn, food and beverage executives throughout the United States should be asking themselves: what does this mean for my products and my company?

The controversy over bioengineered food products has not reached the level of alarm in the United States that it has in Europe, but concerns here are growing swiftly.  According to Promar International, a consulting firm specializing in strategy development for the food and beverage industry, this should come as no surprise.  Moreover, says Promar, food and beverage companies need to take the issue seriously so they aren’t blindsided.

Promar will be releasing shortly (see timing below) a strategic brief to help companies determine what to do—or not to do—about the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  JURASSIC FOODS? The food industry in a post-StarLink world outlines what companies need to know, what they need to do and why.

“ConAgra and Kellogg, as well as Mission Foods, Kraft, Safeway and the others are to be commended for their swift response to the situation, since their actions were clearly expensive,” said Glenn Grimshaw, an analyst with Promar.  “This controversy was entirely predictable, however.  In the near and medium-term, all US food and beverage companies, as well as their suppliers and distributors, need to consider what impact GMOs could have on them.”

JURASSIC FOODS?  analyzes what companies need to do in the wake of the StarLink furor. Outlining where consumer concern over GM foods will go in the US over the next few years, it gauges the potential impact on different kinds of food and beverage products.  In addition, it gives concrete recommendations to companies across the food value chain on how to deal with this evolving issue.

JURASSIC FOODS? The food industry in a post-StarLink world is expected to be 55 to 70 pages long and is available for a price of $6,500.  It is scheduled for release October 31, 2000.  For study details, please see:  PDF file at Promar website 239kb or HTML version locally

About The Company:  Promar International, located in Alexandria, Virginia, specializes in strategy development for companies throughout the food value chain.  Its work includes custom projects to assess markets, develop entry/expansion strategies, monitor and evaluate trends, and provide M&A guidance.  This on-the-ground expertise is bolstered by Promar’s strategic studies that analyze key areas of change.  Promar maintains offices in major markets worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Kurt Redenbo, Promar International
1625 Prince Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA  22314 
kredenbo@promarinternational.com 
Tel: (703) 739-9090
Fax: (703) 739-9098