Press Release on FDA's Proposed "No Labeling,
No Safety Testing" Rules on GE Foods

Genetically Engineered Food Alert <www.gefoodalert.org>

Press Release on New FDA Proposed Regulations on GE Foods & Crops
Jan. 17, 2001

For Immediate Release
Contact: Amanda Gordon (202) 887-8831 or (202) 907-5704
Matt Rand (202) 887-8841 or Ronnie Cummins (218) 226-4164

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

Washington, DC --Today, in the final days of the current administration,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted their long overdue,
controversial policy on genetically engineered foods. This is the same
policy that has come under fire from consumer, environmental and farm
groups since it was first proposed in May, 2000. The rules will not require
labeling of genetically engineered foods nor require mandatory pre-market
safety testing; the two provisions food safety advocates have been lobbying
for.

"This policy means that the FDA will not require any mandatory testing on
genetically engineered food," said Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director of
the Center for Food Safety and member of the Genetically Engineered Food
Alert coalition. "Under these rules, American consumers will still be the
guinea pigs testing the safety of these foods. Voluntary labeling means
consumers wonít see any labels out of this, and wonít have a right to
choose."

The FDA has decided to move forward with their controversial and criticized
rules despite this fallís debacle and embarrassment in the federal
regulatory system over Starlink corn. StarLink genetically engineered corn,
which is not meant for human consumption, was discovered by the genetically
engineered corn, which is not meant for human consumption, was discovered
by the Genetically Engineered Food Alert in taco shells and other corn
products on grocery store shelves. The StarLink debacle prompeted over
three hundred food product recalls, causing millions of dollars in losses to
food processors, grain mills and farmers across the country.

"With its new policy, the FDA is giving consumers a false sense of security
ñ the sense that the government is providing a safeguard when this is
really not the case," said Philip Clapp, President of the National
Environmental Trust. "This policy is geared towards protecting industry,
not consumers."

Voluntary Labeling Means that Consumers Will be Deprived of the Right to Choose

The FDA's new policy also rejects mandatory labeling of genetically
engineered foods. Instead the agency has created a "GE Free" voluntary
labeling scheme which violates the right of American consumers to know
which foods have been genetically engineered.

"Under the new FDA policy not a single producer of genetically engineered
foods will have to reveal that their product is genetically engineered,"
said Richard Caplan, Environmental Advocate at the State Public Interest
Research Groups (PIRGs).

FDA's new voluntary labeling idea would punish those not using the
technology by putting the burden on them to certify, test and label their
foods as "GE Free." Many companies will not want to undergo the
considerable time, expense and liability of testing, certifying and
labeling their foods as "GE Free."

"FDA's new voluntary labeling policy serves the interests of a few
biotechnology companies at the expense of the rest of the food industry and
millions of consumers," said Caplan.

Consultation Is Not Testing

As part of the proposed guidelines, FDA announced today that it will not
require mandatory pre-market safety testing of genetically engineered
foods, but rather engage in ìconsultationsî with food producers.
Consultations and safety reviews are still voluntary.

"Mandatory consultations" have no legal meaning. To ensure safety, the
alteration of food involved in genetic engineering--the addition of new
genes, bacterial vectors, viral promoters, and anti-biotic marker
systems--should go through the rigorous safety and toxicological tests
required of all "food additives." Rules should include new testing for
such things as unknown allergens, novel toxins and changes in nutritional
content. To date, the FDA has refused to require this food additive
testing for genetically engineered foods.

US & EU Panel Calls for Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food

FDA's policy ignores the recommendations of the Biotechnology Consultative
Forum, an international panel of experts, representing both sides of the
biotechnology argument.

In a report released on December 18, 2000, the Biotechnology Consultative
Forum, recommended to the Clinton Administration that genetically
engineered food be more strictly regulated in the United States. The panel
called for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food in order to
protect consumersí right to informed choice about what they eat.

American Consumers Overwhelmingly Support Labeling GE Foods

Most Americans support labeling. A Harris Poll conducted this summer
showed that 86 percent of Americans believe the government "should require
the labeling of all packaged and other food products stating they include
corn, soy or other products which have come from genetically modified
crops."

Petition for Real Safety Rules Ignored by FDA

On March 21, 2000, the Center for Food Safety and 50 other environmental
and consumer safety groups filed a legal petition with the FDA demanding
the development of a thorough pre-market and environmental testing regime
and mandatory labeling for genetically engineered foods. The petition
provided FDA with a blueprint for developing a mandatory pre-market safety
regime based upon the legal requirements of the Food Additive petition
process.

The petition specifies what steps must be taken to ensure public confidence
in the FDA's authority over genetically engineered foods, including
specific tests for allergenicity, toxicity, and unintended effects, and
institution of mandatory labeling for genetically engineered foods.

About GE Food Alert and GEFoodAlert.Org

Genetically Engineered Food Alert founding members include: Center for Food
Safety, Friends of the Earth, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy,
National Environmental Trust, Organic Consumers Association, Pesticide
Action Network North America, and the State Public Interest Research Groups.

Genetically Engineered Food Alert believes that genetically engineered food
or food ingredients should not be allowed on the market until they are
adequately safety tested and labeled. The campaign provides web-based
opportunities for individuals to express concern about genetically
engineered food and fact sheets on health, environmental and economic
information about genetically engineered food. The campaign is endorsed by
more than 250 scientists, religious leaders, doctors, chefs, environmental
and health leaders, as well as farm groups.

The full text of the FDA Policy is available at
<http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/ohrms/advdisplay.cfm>

Background information on genetically engineered food and GE Food Alert is
available on web at <www.gefoodalert.org>

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