TESCO BANS AGP FEED FOR PRIVATE-LABEL CHICKEN LINES

JAMES FALLON

LONDON -- Tesco plc, Cheshunt, England, stepped up the pressure on its suppliers to control or eliminate artificial ingredients in fresh foods, after it asked suppliers of its private-label fresh and rotisserie chickens to remove all antibiotic growth promoters from animal feed.

At the same time, the U.K.'s largest food retailer also informed suppliers that it would not buy any fresh fruits or vegetables grown on land that had been used for government-sponsored trials of genetically modified foods.

As of Jan. 31, all Tesco private-label fresh and rotisserie chickens will be AGP-free. The move affects the feed for more than 80 million chickens a year it sells in its 650 stores throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, Tesco officials said.

Tesco plans eventually to extend the policy to other meats as well, although a spokesman could not provide a time frame on when this might happen.

"Chicken is the most popular meat amongst British consumers, so this is a huge step forward for the industry," said Chris Ling, the retailer's agriculture manager. "Consumers are increasingly demanding that fewer antibiotics are used in chicken feed, so AGPs have been taken out."

Tesco is the first U.K. food retailer to eliminate AGPs from animal feed, although others have announced plans to cut down on artificial additives in their private-label foods. The Tesco spokesman said the company has been developing the policy for the last two years.

Meanwhile, its letter on the GM trials follows questions from suppliers who are considering taking part in the official British program. The government and the food industry have agreed to launch tests covering 1,700 acres this year growing such crops as corn for animal feed, and rabe, which makes an oil used in processed foods. Food growers contacted Tesco to inquire whether they could use the same land to grow crops for Tesco.

"We believe the trials must take place," the Tesco spokesman said. "But we informed them that we would not sell anything to consumers that is then grown on the same land until the results of the trials are known."

The spokesman could not say how many suppliers might receive the letter. The retailer decided to contact its suppliers now because they are getting ready to plant the crops that will be harvested in the spring, he said.

Tesco's announcement is likely to be followed by most other major food retailers, industry observers said. It's the latest blow to GM foods in the United Kingdom, where there have been significant consumer protests about the technology. All the major U.K. food retailers have banned GM ingredients from their private-label foods or, where they are used, have clearly labeled them.