Subject: FDA extends comments re: GE food rules 'til 5/3-contact info. & sample letter
Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2001 15:46:07 -0500 Subject: FDA extends comments re: GE food rules 'til 5/3-contact info. & sample letter From: Ericka <[email protected]> To: Organic Consumers Association Action/Iowa <[email protected]> SAMPLE LETTER, WEB-MAIL AND FDA ADDRESSES BELOW: ---------- US FDA extends comments on bio-food rules until May 3 WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) - The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it would give the U.S. food industry, consumer groups and others an extra month to submit suggestions on the agency's plan to require biotech firms to give at least 120 days' notice before putting a new gene-altered food on the market. The FDA set a new deadline of May 3 for public comments on a rule the agency proposed during the final days of the Clinton administration. The proposed rule was part of the FDA's plan to fine-tune its nearly decade-old regulations for biotech foods. Currently, developers of bioengineered corn, soybeans, squash and other foods are not required to consult with the FDA before commercializing the products. "FDA took this action to ensure that it would have the appropriate amount of information about bioengineered foods to help to ensure that all market entry decisions by the industry are made consistently and in full compliance with the law," the agency said in a Federal Register notice. Environmental groups have criticized the FDA for not requiring biotech companies to conduct specific health and safety testing of new bio-foods. The FDA rejected requests by consumer and green groups to require labels on foods with gene-altered ingredients. The FDA's current rules were developed during the administration of President George W. Bush's father, when the biotech food industry was in its infancy. At the time, the FDA decided to classify bio-foods as being essentially the same as conventional foods, which meant they did not require any special tests or labels. ----------forwarded message---------- Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 To: [email protected] THE DEADLINE has been EXTENDED to May 3, 2001 FDA has released inadequate "proposed" rules re: genetically engineered foods (GEFs). Comments are needed. Comment electronically at: http://www.foodsafetynow.org Hit " Take Action Now" or write to: Docket No. 00N-1396 & Docket No. 00D-1598 FDA Commissioner, Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 SAMPLE LETTER Genetic engineering involves manipulations of genes between different species and allows scientists to bypass the natural barriers which protect the genetic integrity of species. Foods containing or produced from genetic engineering can cause allergic responses, be toxic, have lowered nutritional value and/or compromise immune responses in consumers. Likewise, genetically engineered crops can have unpredictable, irreversible changes to the environment. FDA's proposal for companies to voluntary consult with FDA concerning the safety of their foods is totally inadequate. FDA must require mandatory pre-market safety testing. FDA's proposed rule that environmental review procedures be exempt under the National Environmental Policy Act does not protect the environment. FDA must require mandatory pre-market environmental review. FDA's proposed rule makes all labeling of genetically engineered foods (GEFs) only voluntary. This does not protect my right-to-know or allow me consumer choice to protect my family and the environment. Voluntary labeling unfairly reverses the financial burden onto producers who do not use GEFs. Mandatory labeling is essential for the traceability of GEF products throughout the food supply for health professionals. Mandatory labeling also protects overseas markets for farmers. FDA must require mandatory labeling of GEFs. FDA's proposed rule is unlikely to provide the public with adequate information on GEFs for independent review. The FDA notes that producers of GEFs may claim that any such information, including the premarket notification, is trade secret or confidential business information subject to exemption from public disclosure requirements. FDA must require full disclosure. All GEFs should be taken off supermarket shelves until mandatory safety testing and labeling of all GEFs, pre-market environmental review, and full disclosure are established. Signed and dated - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM list, send any message to: [email protected] ---------- Posted by: ---------- Ericka Dana Organic Consumers Association Regional Coordinator http://www.purefood.org (319) 685-4270 <[email protected]> Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Executive Committee http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/ia/ Managing Editor, Iowa City Area Sierra Club News Iowa City Area Sierra Club Executive Committee http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/ia/icag/ Iowa Green Party Agriculture Committee Director, Midwest Anti-Drift Coalition http://www.IowaFarmer.com/000617/drift2.htm http://www.StopDrift.org (under construction) -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the SUBJECT line. 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