COALITION EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FACT-BASED INFO ON BIOTECH HIGHLIGHTED
November 18, 1999 | from a press release
CHICAGO - The federal government's existing food biotechnology labeling policy "provides a comprehensive framework for consumer protection and choice and clearly serves the public interest," said the Grocery Manufacturers of America at a public hearing held by the Food and Drug Administration.
GMA spoke at the first of three meetings to examine FDA's regulation of foods derived through biotechnology.
Speaking on a panel addressing consumer issues, GMA's Director of Scientific and Nutrition Policy, Lisa Katic, said that the association and its members strongly support FDA's science-based labeling policy. Labeling of foods and ingredients derived through biotechnology is required when there is a significant compositional change in the product, when the food is nutritionally different from its traditional counterpart, or when a potential allergen has been introduced.
"A sound labeling policy can and should recognize the rights of consumers to a safe and nutritious food supply, while facilitating consumer choice based on meaningful information about the product itself," said Katic, a registered dietitian. "By mandating only essential information, allowing voluntary claims about modern biotechnology, and demanding accuracy in all labeling, FDA's existing labeling policy has accomplished this goal."
Katic said that proposals to mandate the labeling of foods developed through biotechnology could mislead consumers into believing that these products are either "different" from conventional foods or present a risk - even though FDA has determined that the food is safe. "Such special labeling of foods modified through modern biotechnology could lead to the very kind of confusion that FDA has tried to keep out of labels," she added.
"A label cannot tell every consumer everything he or she might want to know about every product, because different consumers care about different things. If manufacturers tried to satisfy the tastes and preferences of every consumer, the amount of information that might be useful could fill an encyclopedia. Only a small fraction of this information can possibly fit on a label."
Katic noted that GMA supports the FDA's policy allowing for voluntary labeling statements on products, as long as they are truthful and non-misleading. "It is important that such claims not mislead consumers about the composition, safety, or quality of the labeled product or any other product. We recommend that FDA develop criteria for claim accuracy and substantiation in relation to voluntary labeling of 'non-biotech' foods or food ingredients," said Katic.
"In a market system that values consumer choice as the engine of economic welfare, government regulation should protect consumers from real risks and help consumers make informed choices. A policy that raises unwarranted suspicion of research and development, as mandatory labeling of modern biotechnology could do, might deny the public the benefits of innovation. It would be unfortunate if misinformation and unfounded concerns deprive consumers of the information and the foods that they desire."
Katic also described the work of a coalition of food, farm, retailer, grower, medical, and scientific groups, the Alliance for Better Foods, which is dedicated to providing fact-based information on food biotechnology.
The Alliance has developed a Web site - www.betterfoods.org - and publications that address consumers' questions regarding foods produced through modern biotechnology. The Web site also provides links to government agencies, including FDA, so that consumers can learn about the government's role in biotechnology.
