FDA Proposes Regulations for Bioengineered Crops
The federal government proposed regulations for bioengineered crops Wednesday, requiring written notice before new crops are introduced but stopping short of ordering safety testing or labels for food products that contain genetically modified organisms.
Critics said the new rules released by the Food and Drug Administration will do little to tighten oversight of these products. One consumer group characterized it as a “bizarre parting gift” from the Clinton administration to the biotechnology industry.
“This guidance is not only inadequate, it’s not binding,” said Andrew Kimbrell, president of the Center for Food Safety.
Food industry officials defended the rules as a responsible middle ground that would prevent opponents from employing scare tactics about GMOs.
Under the new rules, biotech companies would be required to submit written notice to the government four months before introducing new genetically modified crops. Biotechnology firms so far have not been required to consult with the FDA before introducing a genetically modified variety, yet the developers of all 50 such crops have done so voluntarily.
Instead of requiring mandatory product labeling, which consumer and environmental groups have asked for, the FDA released voluntary guidelines for labeling products that do not contain genetically altered ingredients.
It also released guidelines for companies that choose to identify the genetically modified ingredients in their products, but food industry officials expect few to exercise that option.
The biggest benefit, according to the FDA, is that products will be labeled in a way that is not misleading or confusing. Under the guidelines, the terms “GMO-free” or “GM-free” would be taboo because many consumers don’t know what GMOs are--and manufacturers may not be able to guarantee absence of GMOs. The FDA also objects to the term “modified” because it is too vague, noting that plants can be modified in many ways, not just by gene splicing.
FDA officials said they might pursue legal action against companies that violate these guidelines, particularly natural-foods companies seeking to brand their products as “free” of genetically modified ingredients.
“We think GMO-free implies superiority,” said Joseph Levitt, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “We are telling companies what we think is truthful and not misleading.”
Levitt said FDA does not plan to consider mandatory labeling because under current policy, bioengineered crops aren’t considered substantially different than traditional crops. “Biotechnology in and of itself does not make a product different,” Levitt said.
However, he said the agency will review individual crops to ensure that continues to be the case.
Lisa Katic, director of scientific and nutrition policy for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, said the new rules will not eliminate the pressure for mandatory labeling. However, it will prevent certain manufacturers from scaring consumers, she said.
The proposed rules are subject to public comment before being finalized.
