By Marc Kaufman

Consumers want mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods and feel "outrage" when they learn how many supermarket products already are produced through biotechnology, according to an FDA report.

The internal report, which was commissioned by the agency to gauge sentiment about its proposals for voluntary labeling, said that consumers are concerned about possible long-term environmental and health effects of genetically modified foods.

Virtually all participants said that bioengineered foods should be labeled as such so that they could tell whether a given food was a product of the new technology. They thought it would allow them to make more informed decisions about whether or not to buy a product.

The labeling of products made through bioengineering has become a contentious issue, with activists arguing that consumers need and deserve the information.

The biotechnology industry has opposed mandatory labeling in the United States, saying that it would unfairly stigmatize products already determined to be safe.

The FDA did not consider mandatory labeling to be scientifically necessary or legally possible.

The agency concluded in 1992 that genetically engineered foods are substantially equivalent to conventional products.

There is overwhelming public support in favor of mandatory labeling. Whether the concerns are environmental or health-related, ethical or religious, people want to know when biotechnology is being used in their food.

In the focus group report, consumers voiced great surprise and concern over the way that bioengineered foods have been introduced, and how widely they are now used.

Washington Post February 13, 2001; Page A09

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

As I have said before folks, this is a big issue and my feeling is that this is the tip of the iceberg. If you want to keep yourself and your family healthy I advise avoiding these foods. Please review the link below for an excellent review of the topic and one that we ALL need to familiarize ourselves with as we will be increasingly exposed to GM foods. If you follow the diet guidelines you will be doing it, since soy and corn are two of the most widely GM foods. You also might want to consider subscribing to the Organic Consumers Association. For a great resource to find out which foods are less likely to contain genetically modified ingredients, try the "True Food Shopping List" compiled by Greenpeace. Related Articles: Hazards of Genetically Engineered Food