America's Food Giants Tell White House to
Oppose Labeling and Safety-Testing of Gene-Foods

AGRI-FOOD COMMUNITY OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON ON SCIENCE-BASED
LABELING OF FOODS
November 12, 1999

November 12, 1999
The Honorable William J. Clinton
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Mr. President:

The following 38 organizations representing a diverse cross-section of the
agri-food community strongly encourage the Administration to resolutely
support the science-based labeling policies of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), particularly as they relate to the labeling of foods
enhanced through modern biotechnology.

The FDA has vested its considerable credibility with consumers in the
veracity of product labels in representing the safety and nutritional
value of foods. If the FDA were to change its policy and require special
labeling for biotech foods, such labeling could have the effect of
misleading consumers into believing that biotech foods are either
"different" from conventional foods or present a risk or a potential
risk, even though the FDA has determined that the biotech food is safe.
Such special labeling of biotech foods could lead to the very kind of
consumer confusion that labels are designed to prevent. In addition, the
U.S. is engaged in biotechnology-related discussions in numerous
international forums and it is critical that U.S. efforts to encourage
science-based regulatory regimes globally are not undermined by changes to
U.S. labeling policy.

Changing the current policy to require special labeling could impact
significantly consumers' perception of the safety of biotech foods and
undermine the credibility the FDA currently enjoys. Furthermore, such a
change in policy would have the effect of validating the charges and
claims being advanced by opponents of modern biotechnology. It would cause
a dramatic development in the marketplace that would negatively affect
both farmers and consumers. Probably most important, such a change would
likely impair the long-term viability of this important technology that
has the potential to produce a safer and more nutritious food supply,
reduce costs and increase productivity, thereby enabling our
ever-increasing world population to be better fed.

The FDA's labeling policy, established in 1992, states that no special
labeling is required for biotech foods unless the foods significantly
differ from their traditional counterparts. Special labeling may be
required where, for example, a significant constituent is added or
changed, as may be the case with allergens or certain nutritional
substances. And in such a situation, any special labeling addresses the
difference between the biotech food and the traditional foodQe.g., the
presence of allergensQnot the fact that the food has been derived from
biotechnology. In essence, information that is essential to consumer
protection guides the Agency's policy. Currently, most foods derived from
modern biotechnology do not require special labeling.

The FDA's existing policy also allows voluntary label statements that are
truthful and not misleading, providing a comprehensive framework for
consumer protection as well as choice. In light of that policy,
manufacturers are permitted to voluntarily label foods produced without
the use of modern biotechnology to enable consumers who want this
information to make individual choices. We support that right because we
believe that consumers who seek specialty foods or foods produced without
the use of modern biotechnology should always have a market to serve them.
As representatives of the agri-food community with a commitment and duty
to market safe foods, we again encourage Administration officials to speak
strongly in support of the science-based regulatory systems already in
place in the United States. The U.S. regulatory agencies are competent and
enjoy the confidence of U.S. consumers. It is the policies and programs of
these agencies that assure consumers that biotech commodities and foods
are safe and wholesome.

Sincerely,

Agricultural Transporters Conference
National Corn Growers Association
American Bakers Association
National Fisheries Institute
American Crop Protection Association
National Food Processors Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
National Grain & Feed Association
American Feed Industry Association
National Grocers Association
American Frozen Food Institute
National Oilseed Processors Association
American Meat Institute
National Restaurant Association
American Seed Trade Association
National Soft Drink Association
American Soybean Association
National Turkey Federation
Biotechnology Industry Organization
North American Export Grain Association
Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers' Association
North American Millers Association
Corn Refiners Association, Inc.
Snack Food Association
Food Distributors International
The Sugar Association
Food Marketing Institute
United Egg Association
Frozen Potato Products Institute
United Egg Producers
Grocery Manufacturers of America
U.S. Council for International Business
Institute of Shortening & Edible Oils
USA Rice Federation
International Dairy Foods Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
National Chicken Council
U.S. Grains Council

cc:The Hon. A. Gore, Jr., Vice President of the United States
The Hon. M. Albright, Secretary, U.S. Dept. of State
The Hon. C. Barshefsky, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
The Hon. W. Daley, Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
The Hon. D. Glickman, Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
The Hon. J. Henney, Commissioner, U.S. Food & Drug
Administration
The Hon. D. Shalala, Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human
Services
The Hon. C. Browner, Administrator, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
--
Responses should be directed to:
Agri-Washington
1629 K Street, NW #1100
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: (202) 785-6710