FDA Publishes Proposed Regulations on GE Foods--
No Mandatory Labeling or Safety-Testing

Web Note: The Food and Drug Administration today (Jan. 17, 2001) issued
their long-awaited proposed federal regulations on Genetically Engineered
Foods and Crops. As expected the FDA does not call for mandatory labeling
nor for mandatrory safety-testing. There will be a 75-day comment period
for citizens to voice their strong disapproval of these proposed federal
regulations, which are referred to as Docket # 00N-1396. The Organic
Consumers Association and our national coalition, the Genetically
Engineered Food Alert <www.gefoodalert.org> strongly condemn the FDA for
failing to properly regulate this new and presently out-of-control
technology. Unless rigorous, independent premarket safety testing can
demonstrate that GE foods and crops are safe, we call for a national
moratorium on these foods and crops.

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
Washington, D.C.

Contact:
Amanda Gordon, 202-887-8831 or 202-907-5704
Matt Rand, 202-887-8841
Ronnie Cummins, 218-226-4164

Washington, D.C Press Conference Wednesday, January 17, 2001 -- Genetically
Engineered Foods

New FDA Policy Fails to Require Testing or Labeling of Genetically
Engineered Food

In 'eleventh hour'move, FDA releases inadequate policy that makes American
consumers guinea pigs for safety testing of genetically engineered food

Genetically Engineered Food Alert will respond to the Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) new policies released today on genetically
engineered food. While there is tremendous public support for stronger
government regulation over genetically engineered food, the FDA policy
released today fails to mandate pre-market safety testing of GE ingredients
or labeling for consumers' right to know. The FDA policy falls short of
protecting American consumers, in essence making them guinea pigs for the
testing of genetically engineered food.

Who:
Andrew Kimbrell, President, Center for Food Safety
Joseph Mendelson, Legal Counsel, Genetically Engineered Food Alert
Richard Caplan, Environmental Advocate, US Public Interest Research Group
Matt Rand, Biotechnology Campaign Manager, National Environmental Trust

Where: Treasury Room, JW Marriot Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

When: Wednesday, January 17, 2001, 2:00 PM EDT