THE use of Frankenstein foods in school meals in Warrington has been steadily reduced in the past year, according to council bosses.

Warrington's Direct Services Department say they have been investigating the amount of genetically modified products in school meals since June 1998.

The Government announced this week that they were advising councils to stop using GM foods in school meals and other council-run establishments after the so-called "Frankenstein" foods came into the media spotlight recently.

But council officers in Warrington say they have already adopted a policy of reducing the use of genetically modified foods until more is known about them.

Warrington's Assistant Director for Welfare and Facility Services Ken Johnson said: "The council obtains its food products through the Greater Manchester Purchasing Consortium. All food suppliers to the consortium have been contacted requesting them to determine the extent, if any, of their products which contain genetically modified ingredients."

He said that this meant most of the produce they used did not have any GM ingredients anyway, which would minimise concerns regarding the school meals service.

And he added: "Our Trading Standards service has also been issuing guidance over the past six months to food manufacturers in the borough on good labelling in relation to GM foods."

Chief Executive Steven Broomhead added: "We have not banned GM foods - that would not be logistically possible, but we have provided the appropriate advice and guidance in order to support our community."

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