Hundreds in NZ march against GM foods HUNDREDS of New Zealanders have turned out to protest against genetically modified foods. The marches were part of a worldwide protest action against Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology company which makes genetically modified seeds. GE Free NZ president Claire Bleakley says several hundred people marched in Wellington. New Zealand is a GE free nation, but imported genetically modified seeds are fed to animals including chickens and pigs, she told AAP. Products made with genetically modified ingredients, including vegetable oil and soy lecithin, are also sold on supermarkets shelves. Ms Bleakley said the genetically engineered foods have not been proven to be safe and should be prohibited to protect future generations. A petition to get stricter controls around GE foods in New Zealand was circulated at the protests. It will be presented to Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye on June 4, Ms Bleakley said. Marches in Auckland and Christchurch also attracted several hundred people. People also took to the streets in New Plymouth, Nelson, Rotorua, Tauranga and Dunedin. Hundreds of marches are being held in cities across the world.