The administration is proposing a plan to provide more oversight of gene-altered crops and set standards for labeling foods that claim to be free of biotech ingredients. But many consumer advocates say it doesn't go far enough. The food industry is applauding a plan by the Clinton administration to provide more oversight of gene-altered crops and to set standards for labeling foods that claim to be free of biotech ingredients.
Government wants oversight of biofoods.
But the plan being announced today falls far short of what consumer advocates have wanted, including requirements for additional testing of crops and mandatory labeling for all products containing genetically engineered products. Administration officials say that is unnecessary, and the food industry has argued that it would unfairly stigmatize biotech food. The plan would require biotech companies to notify the Food and Drug Administration at least four months before releasing new genetically engineered crops and provide the agency with their research data. Biotech food makers now voluntarily consult FDA before selling, but the new plan would codify the practice. Once the FDA reviews a biotech food, the agency's conclusions and product safety data would be posted on its Web site for consumers to read.