Mothers may look for apple juice for their children because it is a natural drink, or avoid it because it gives their child a stomach ache. Every day, millions of consumers worldwide read millions of food labels and make millions of decisions like this for themselves and their families. The countries of the European Union have recognized this, and have instituted regulations requiring labeling of all genetically engineered food, although many consumer and environmental groups think the labeling requirements do not go far enough. In the United States, where genetically engineered corn, soybeans and potatoes are being grown commercially, repeated public opinion surveys show consumers overwhelmingly want labeling, but thus far the government has failed to require it. Most countries have not considered the issue yet.
Consumers feel they have a fundamental right to know what they are eating, and that it is safe.
The Codex Alimentarius, an agency of the United Nations World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, is considering whether to adopt a guideline recommending that all countries require labeling of genetically engineered food. Since labeling laws are created to meet consumer needs, it is consumer opinion which should be relevant in this regard. The fact that genetic engineering can go seriously wrong was shown by one of the very first products introduced into the market. An amino acid called tryptophan was sold in a number of countries including the United States as a dietary supplement. In the late 1980s, the Showa Denko company of Japan began making tryptophan by a new process, using genetically engineered bacteria, and selling it in the United States.