Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye has told GE Free New Zealand it would be extremely difficult for her to withdraw approval of a new genetically engineered food product, the organisation says.
GE Free New Zealand met the minister on Tuesday to raise its concerns about a genetically modified, pesticide-resistant soybean developed in the United States.
Ms Kaye has approved the soy product's entry into the New Zealand food chain, on the recommendation of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
GE Free New Zealand has challenged the authority's decision, which it says was made without any animal feeding trials to test the safety of the soy product.
President Claire Bleakley says the minister told them recalling the GE food would be very difficult to do within the legal boundaries she works under.
Ms Bleakley says GE Free also presented the minister with a petition carrying more than 1000 signatures calling for a freeze on new GE applications, a recall of all genetically modified products that have not undergone long term safety testing and action on labelling.
