Austrian supermarket Billa says no to GMO foods

Volker Hornsteiner and Josef Siess, the managing directors of the Austrian supermarket chain Billa, are critical of a possible FTA with the U.S. "We hope that it will have no effects on our range, we do not want genetically modified food," the company said.

Hensel, in an open letter to the Austrian MEP, wrote that he is concerned about the quality of food in Austria. "We have received extensive feedback," said Corinna Tinkler, spokeswoman for Rewe, which belongs to Billa. They now want to organize a round table conference "in the foreseeable future" where competitors are also invited. Rewe is not "necessarily" against the FTA. "We must be mindful that the food quality is maintained in Austria," the company stated.

Billa is also sceptical about the idea of several EU countries, including Austria, to abolished the minimum expiration date for long-life foods such as pasta or rice, in the fight against food waste. The expiration date is an "orientation for consumers," said Volkert Hornsteiner during a press conference. Josef Siess added: "The health of consumers is at the forefront, but we will be happy to discuss an extension of the minimum expiration date.”