Since we broke the news in March 2011 about the use of aborted fetal cell lines by Senomyx to test its food and beverage flavor enhancers for several food giants, the public has responded with greater outrage and disgust than we have seen in more than a decade of our work – that is – exposing the truth about the exploitation of our unborn by these companies for profit!
It is with GREAT JOY that we report the following:
Breaking News:
For Immediate Release: April 30, 2012
Boycott Ends: PepsiCo will not use aborted fetal cell lines for flavor enhancers
(Largo, Fl) Children of God for Life announced today the stunning news that PepsiCo will not use aborted fetal cell line HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) in their contractual agreement with Senomyx to develop flavor enhancers for their beverages.
Children of God for Life’s Executive Director, Debi Vinnedge, hailed PepsiCo’s decision as a major breakthrough and achievement by thousands of concerned consumers who have been writing and boycotting PepsiCo beverages since last May.
In a letter to Children of God for Life, PepsiCo’s VP of Global Public Policy, Paul Boykas stated that “Senomyx will not use HEK cells or any other tissues or cell lines derived from human embryos or fetuses for research performed on behalf of PepsiCo.”
“We are absolutely thrilled with PepsiCo’s decision,” stated Mrs. Vinnedge. “They have listened to their customers and have made both a wise and profound statement of corporate integrity that deserves the utmost respect, admiration and support of the public.”
In speaking with Mr. Boykas, Vinnedge noted that the company had conducted internal discussions, recognizing it was a highly sensitive and controversial subject that quite frankly, was not in the best interests of PepsiCo.
“We took the matter very seriously,” stated Mr. Boykas. “We have an official Statement on Responsible Research and we intend to live by that policy.”
That policy precludes any research by PepsiCo – or third parties they fund – from using human tissue or cell lines derived from embryos or fetuses. (See: http://www.pepsico.com/Company/Corporate-Governance/Policies.html and click on Responsible Research)
The decision means an immediate end to the boycott that began in May 2011- welcome news to both PepsiCo and their customers who have abstained from their favorite beverages in protest.
“We are grateful to PepsiCo and especially to all those who sent a loud and clear message to the management of this company. It’s incumbent upon us to closely monitor the situation to be sure that PepsiCo remains true to their word,” said Brad Mattes, Executive Director of Life Issues Institute, one of thirty five prolife organizations that joined Children of God for Life in the boycott. “There are moral cell lines Senomyx can and should be using – not just for PepsiCo research but for all their customers.”
Senomyx receives royalties for products sold using their ingredients. If they do not use aborted fetal cell lines, they offend no one; if they do, they most certainly offend at least half of US consumers who are prolife. But Children of God for Life also heard from a number of women who stated they were pro choice yet this use of aborted fetal cell lines, crossed the line and angered them as well.
“If for no other reason, it only makes financial sense for both Senomyx and their collaborators to avoid a substantial loss of potential market,” Vinnedge said. “Senomyx needs to stop using the aborted fetal cell lines entirely and we will continue to pressure them to do so.”
Vinnedge is strongly encouraging the public to take one more important step: write to PepsiCo and thank them – and then go buy your favorite Pepsi products to celebrate!
“Too often we seem to focus on the negatives and forget to take the time to let others know we appreciate their efforts”, stated Vinnedge. “It is our sincere hope that the public will once again rise to the occasion en masse as they did in the boycott – but this time in appreciation and support of PepsiCo.”
Read the previous articles and efforts in our boycott.
Write to thank Pepsi on their website or via US Mail to:
Albert P. Carey, CEO PepsiCo Beverages
700 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
Phone: (914) 253-2000
I’d like to know the ‘date’ involved in KRAFT no longer using HEK. Do you have information on this.
As you know PEPSI is only one company that uses HEK in their products.
Lynn Lowrie
Kraft ended their agreement with Senomyx Dec 27, 2011 but that was simply when the contract expired. They do not yet have a product on the market using Senomyx but we continue to monitor and will keep you updated!
I am not so sure that this is good news. The published statement that PepsiCo “does not conduct or fund research” including “research performed on behalf of PepsiCo” isn’t the same as the statement that “PepsiCo will not use aborted fetal cell line HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) in their contractual agreement with Senomyx to develop flavor enhancers for their beverages.” Could the “research” have ended? Could the inclusion of fetal cells as an ingredient now be considered different than “research?” PepsiCo could have stated simply that it “does not include fetal cells as an ingredient in its foods and beverage products” but, the company didn’t. I don’t believe this is good news. I believe that it is obfuscation.
Pepsi has a 4 year contract with Senomyx and have not “run out the clock” because they don’t yet have a flavor enhancer ready for market use. This is common with Senomyx partners. R&D takes considerable time and if by the end of the 4 year agreement they have nothing suitable, they can either renegotiate the contract or end it.
But Pepsi’s decision actually began to formulate last November after the shareholder resolution was filed. Their attorneys tried to get the shareholder to back down – she refused. They filed a 36 page response to the SEC – we did another press release on the comments they had made to the SEC – and then we both waited to see what the SEC would rule. When the SEC ruled in Pepsi’s favor, they probably thought we would go away. Instead the press release we issued set off a firestorm worldwide and it was enough for them to back down. I personally spoke to Mr Boykas several times and he told me that there were some in their organization who did not fully understand their own corporate policy that precluded them from doing or funding any immoral research. He said they had lengthy internal discussions and intended to stick by that policy. I believe he was telling the truth. He also said that he hoped their actions would convince Senomyx not to use the cells for any other company’s flavors either. He was most sincere in my opinion by the way he spoke.
It just made me sick to my stomach when I read this. Maybe if enough people sign the petition, it will stop.
As you can read from my email communications below, there is no clear proof of anything.
From: Senomyx Information [mailto:info@senomyx.com]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 16:17
To: xxxxxx Forbes
Subject: RE: HEK-293
Dear Mr. Forbes:
The letter from PepsiCo referred to in the article is attached (it is available on the Children of God for Life website); however, Senomyx does not comment on Internet articles or discuss the specifics of our technologies.
Sincerely,
Gwen
Gwen Rosenberg
Vice President, Investor Relations &
Corporate Communications
Senomyx, Inc.
From: xxxxxx Forbes [mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2012 2:52 PM
To: Senomyx Information
Subject: HEK-293
Importance: High
Do you still use HEK-293 — a cell line derived from human embryonic kidney, use of cell lines from aborted babies or from living or dead adults even non-fetal human cells that express the “G protein” relevant for taste receptors?
Reference: http://thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/11480-pepsi-says-it-will-halt-use-of-aborted-fetal-cells-in-flavor-research
Sincerely, xxxxxx Forbes
Senomyx is still using HEK-293 but not in their PepsiCo research. This change came as a result of PepsiCo request – which came as a result of a very successful public campaign. Pepsi’s decision actually began to formulate last November after the shareholder resolution was filed. Their attorneys tried to get the shareholder to back down – she refused. They filed a 36 page response to the SEC – we did another press release on the comments they had made to the SEC – and then we both waited to see what the SEC would rule.
When the SEC ruled in Pepsi’s favor, they probably thought we would go away. Instead the press release we issued set off a firestorm worldwide and it was enough for them to back down. I personally spoke to Mr. Boykas VP at Pepsi several times and he told me that there were some in their organization who did not fully understand their own corporate policy that precluded them from doing or funding any immoral research. He said they had lengthy internal discussions and intended to stick by that policy. I believe he was telling the truth. He also said that he hoped their actions would convince Senomyx not to use the cells for any other company’s flavors either. He was most sincere in my opinion by the way he spoke.
And of course we will continue to monitor them to make sure they keep their promise! And we will continue to request that Senomyx does exactly what PepsiCo hopes they will do – stop using aborted fetal cell lines entirely.
Disgusting, where can I find a list of products using this ??
Lynda, you can see a list of products here: https://cogforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/fetalproductsall.pdf
The enhancers are used in such small amounts that they escape ingredient labeling laws and regulations, so it is very difficult to compile a comprehensive list. Senomyx is now owned by Firmenich, a privately-held European corporation, further complicating matters. As a private company, they are not subject to the same level of reporting as stock companies.