The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposal that stopped short of mandating that manufacturers label these foods but it does strengthen the oversight of genetically modified foods.
The proposal would require food companies to provide scientific evidence that a genetically altered or bioengineered food is safe, and to notify the FDA at least 120 days in advance of its intent to market foods that have been genetically altered.
The agency also issued guidelines for companies that voluntarily label food as being made with or without genetically altered ingredients. Terms such as "GM" (genetically modified), "GMO" (genetically modified organism) and "modified" would not be acceptable.
The guidelines would also apply to animal feed, which can eventually become part of the food chain.
However, consumers deserve the right to choose for whatever reason and voluntary labeling benefits the company, not the consumer.
In the US, genetically-altered ingredients can be found in hundreds of products but, often, consumers are not aware that they are consuming such ingredients. Opposition to these foods abroad has led to the passage of laws banning imports in some countries and requiring that food companies label genetically modified food.
Several years ago, a gene from the Brazil nut was introduced into soybeans intended for animal feed and caused an outbreak of allergies when the beans were inadvertently used to produce food for human consumption. More recently, genetically-altered corn that was also destined for animal feed ended up in taco shells.
FDA Proposal New York, New York January 17, 2001
Genetically modified foods are a HUGE upcoming issue. It is not yet receiving the press that it will in the future.
If you have the time please review my last update on this important topic.
Dr. Ann Clark, a plant researcher at the University of Guelph (Canada), said StarLink, an illegal and likely allergenic variety of GE corn found in taco shells and over 300 brand-name products this fall, could prove to be "the beginning of the end" for genetically engineered crops if food companies decide the costs outweigh the benefits.
Thre are even spiritual leaders speaking up on this isseu. Two months ago, speaking to a massive crowd at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II urged extreme caution concerning genetically engineered food, stating that the use of biotechnology in agriculture, "cannot be evaluated only on the basis of immediate economic interests. It is necessary to subject it in advance to rigorous scientific and ethical checking to prevent it ending up in disaster for... the future of the earth."
It was also reported this week that Aventis Crop Science, the creator of a genetically modified corn unapproved for human consumption, has agreed to pay millions to farmers and grain elevators for expenses they incurred when the corn wound up in the food supply. Estimates of the cost range from $100 million to $1 billion.
You may recall that this is related to the famous Starlink corn which last fall it was detected in taco shells and other processed foods, prompting recalls.
Don't forget to bookmark these two sites for the latest on this issue: www.purefood.org
Related Articles:
New Concerns Rise on Keeping Track of Modified Corn Now They Want To Put Jellyfish in Our Sugar Banned Biotech Corn Found in Taco Bell Shells Americans Don't Know They are Eating Genetically Modified Food Genetically Modified genes jump the "species barrier" Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods Genetically Modified Crops Worry Some Scientists Genetically Altered Plants Might Alter You
New Concerns Rise on Keeping Track of Modified Corn
Now They Want To Put Jellyfish in Our Sugar
Banned Biotech Corn Found in Taco Bell Shells
Americans Don't Know They are Eating Genetically Modified Food
Genetically Modified genes jump the "species barrier"
Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically Modified Crops Worry Some Scientists
Genetically Altered Plants Might Alter You