EATING IN THE DARK

FDA Will Not Require Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods

Americans have a right to know what’s in our food.

So how come the Food and Drug Administration wants us eating in the dark?

The FDA has proposed new rules that would not require genetically engineered food to be labeled as such. The rules would also continue to allow these foods to be sold without any required safety testing.

Very little independent research has been published on the safety of genetically engineered (GE) foods. The FDA’s own scientists have warned that there’s not enough evidence to declare them safe. Yet, in what amounts to an uncontrolled human experiment, the FDA has already allowed GE foods to become part of our diet.

We don’t know what these foods might do to people with allergies or weak immune systems, or if they have any long-term effect on children. Biotechnology companies might know, but in the name of protecting trade secrets they have kept most of their test results private and away from peer review.

We do know this: Credible polling shows consumers overwhelmingly support GE food labeling. Yet the FDA has ignored the public’s desire, proposing rules that give the biotech industry just what it wants. And no wonder. Generous contributions to both political parties give the industry special access to FDA’s overseers in Congress and the White House.

The new FDA rules are not yet final. Consumers have one more week -- until May 3 -- to let the agency know what they think. They can do so through the website www.TrueFoodNow.org.

The 15-nation European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia all mandate the labeling of genetically engineered food.

But if the FDA’s new rules go through as drafted, Americans will be left eating in the dark.

Source: TomPaine.com

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