* Lab tests and industry disclosures indicate that 60-75% of all
non-organic supermarket foods now "test positive" for the presence of
genetically engineered (GE) ingredients.
* Despite growing public concern over the safety of milk and dairy products
from cows injected with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), as well
as human health and environmental concerns over genetically engineered
corn, soy, canola, and cotton, the US government refuses to require
safety-testing or labeling for genetically engineered foods. As a result
Europe, Japan, and other nations are now refusing to buy many US food
exports.
* Mounting scientific evidence suggests that genetically engineered foods
may present serious hazards for human health and the environment. The
British Medical Association has called for a global ban on GE foods, while
the New England Journal of Medicine has warned that "the allergenic
potential of these newly intoduced microbial proteins is uncertain,
unpredictable, and untestable." Scientists warn that GE foods may set off
allergies, increase cancer risks, produce antibiotic-resistant pathogens,
damage food quality, and produce dangerous toxins.
* Environmental hazards of genetically engineered crops recently discussed
in scientific journals and the media include: increased use of toxic
pesticides, damage to soil fertility, genetic pollution of adjoining
farmlands, harm to Monarch butterflies and beneficial insects such as
ladybugs, and the creation of "superpests, "superweeds," and virulent new plant viruses.
* Consumer polls over the past decade have shown that 80-95% of Americans
want genetically engineered foods to be labeled--mainly so that we can
avoid buying them. Fifty members of Congress recently sent a letter to the
Food and Drug Administration demanding labeling. In addition, a federal
lawsuit has been filed by a broad coalition of scientists, environmental
groups, religious leaders, organic farmers, and consumer organizations
demanding that all genetically engineered foods be taken off the market
until they have been properly safety-tested and labeled.
* Read on to see what you can do today to protect yourself and your family
from genetically engineered foods.
Ask your grocery store manager for a written statement on their policy
regarding genetically engineered foods. Request that they identify which
food products are genetically engineered and which are not.
Tell your grocer to offer a full-line selection of certified organic foods.
Certified Organic farmers and producers operate under strict certification
rules and do not use any genetically engineered seeds or ingredients.
Buy certified organic foods from your local co-op, health food store,
farmers market or through a CSA - (Community Supported Agriculture) program.
Join the Organic Consumers Association and volunteer to help organize
opposition to genetically engineered foods in your local community. Keep
informed on genetic engineering and food safety issues by visiting our web
site at <http://www.purefood.org>
Call, Fax or E-mail (via their website) the 15 companies listed below - The
Frankenfoods Fifteen.
Tell them you will not purchase their foods or beverages unless they can
provide you with written assurance that their products do not contain
gentically engineered ingredients.
| Kellogg's 800-962-1413 fax: 616-961-2871 www.kelloggs.com |
Frito-Lay 800-352-4477 fax: 972-334-5071 www.fritolay.com |
Kraft 800-543-5335 fax: 847-646-2922 www.kraftfoods.com |
| Campbell Soup Company 800-257-8443 fax: 856-342-3878 www.campbellsoup.com |
Nestle 800 452-1971 fax: 818-549-6952 www.nestleusa.com |
Hershey's 800-468-1714 www.hersheys.com |
| Safeway 800-723-3929 fax: 925-467-2005 |
Heinz Foods 888-472-8437 fax: 412-456-6128 www.heinz.com |
Coca-Cola 800-438-2653 fax: 770-989-3640 www.cocacola.com |
| Nabisco 800-932-7800 fax: 973-503-2202 www.nabisco.com |
Quaker Oats 800-367-6287 800-407-2247 www.quakeroats.com |
Starbucks 800-235-2883 fax: 206-447-3432 www.starbucks.com |
| McDonald's 630-623-6198 fax: 630-623-6942 www.mcdonalds.com |
General Mills 800-328-1144 fax: 612-764-8330 www.generalmills.com |
Procter and Gamble 800-331-3774 www.pg.com |