Because of consumer concern, Campbell s, like Kellogg s, has ceased using genetically engineered soy or corn in any of its products in Europe. As an American family icon associated with trust and wholesomeness, Campbell s has a responsibility to the American public, said Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety. As it has already done in Europe, Campbell s should take genetically engineered ingredients out of its food here. This is the first time the FDA has given a class of food additives a blanket exception from safety testing, said Philip E. Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust. As with nutrition labels that provide basic information about content of food products, Genetically Engineered Food Alert organizers believe that consumers have a right to know that they are eating genetically engineered foods.
American consumers are the subject of a nationwide food experiment.
The organizations that created Genetically Engineered Food Alert are the 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. The campaign began today with the endorsement of more than 250 chefs, religious leaders, doctors, environmental and health leaders, farm interests and scientists. In addition to seeking endorsements, Genetically Engineered Food Alert will document and bring to light problems with genetically engineered foods through a series of reports. The coalition will also register consumer comments and submit them to government and corporate officials. This is the first time that consumer, health and environmental advocates have come together as a unified front in the United States to insist on safety testing and labeling of genetically engineered foods, said Brent Blackwelder, president of the Friends of the Earth.