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Currently, at least 46 different genetically engineered foods are being
sold without labeling or pre-market safety testing. These genetically engineered foods
are present in up to 70% of processed food products, from major soy-based baby formulas
to some of the most popular corn chip brands, found in supermarket shelves every day.
Because of the FDA's failure to require labeling, millions of American infants, children
and adults are consuming genetically engineered products each day without their knowledge
or concent. Individuals with ethical or religious dietary principles are unknowingly eating
foods which contain genes from other species. And those with food allergies have no way
of knowing whether they are eating genetically engineered foods with potentially new allergens.
Parents have been denied the basic right to know what they are feeding their children. The
government's current failure to require the pre-market safety testing of genetically
engineered foods raises serious concerns about the health impacts of these novel foods.
Even the FDA's own scientists have stated that "undesirable efects such as increased
levels of known naturally occurring toxicants, appearance of new, not previously
identified toxicants, increased capability of concentrating toxic substances from
the environment (e.g., pesticides or heavy metals), and undesirable alterations
in the levels of nutrients may escape [plant] breeders attention unless genetically
engineered plants are evaluated specifically for these changes." Yet, the agency
requires no mandatory safety testing before a genetically engineered food comes
to market, and NO labels once they are on the market to allow American consumers a choice!
Support HR 2916 The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. Congressman Dennis
Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced new legislation to label genetically engineered foods
in July 2003. Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) is also expected to introduce it into the
Senate by the end of this year.
Take Action! Write to your representative
and ask them to co-sponsor bill HR 2916, the "Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act."
For further information on product labeling, please
visit the Campaign
to Label Genetically Engineered Foods (www.thecampaign.org)
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