June 1, 1998
Update: Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
Codex Food Labeling Committee
After lobbying by industry and some governments, the Codex
Food Labeling Committee decided at its meeting in Ottawa May
26-29, 1998, not to require labeling of genetically
engineered food at present, and to postpone a final decision
until its next meeting in 1999. The Committee, part of the
United Nations Codex Alimentarius Commission, has power to
set food standards that can be enforced by the World Trade
Organization (WTO). This decision means that much of the
genetically modified food sold on supermarket shelves will
not have to be labeled as such.
The Ottawa meeting was of key importance to consumer
organizations, which are increasingly concerned about the
numbers of unlabeled genetically modified foods in the
marketplace. Consumers International, a federation of some
235 consumer organizations in 109 countries, joined numerous
other non-governmental organizations in lobbying the Codex
Food Labeling Committee to agree to a standard that would
require labeling of all genetically modified foods.
Codex did agree to propose labeling of genetically engineered
foods that contain known allergens. But opposition by some
governments and industry representatives persuaded the Codex
Committee to reject any decision on a standard that would
require mandatory labeling of all such foods. Codex now will
gather more comments on the issue and will bring the topic up
for discussion at their meeting next year.
The delegations of India and Norway in particular made strong
statements supporting the consumers' right to information and
calling for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered
foods, as did observers from Greenpeace International, the
Center for Science in the Public Interest and organic farming
organizations. Other countries, however, including the United
States, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, favored
much more limited labeling requirements.
(For more information, please visit Consumers International's
Codex web site at
www.consumersinternational.org/campaign/codex )
United States
Also on May 27, a coalition of scientists, religious leaders,
health professionals, consumers and chefs filed suit against
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain
mandatory safety testing and labeling of all genetically
engineered foods. The suit, filed in U.S. Federal District
Court, alleges that current FDA policy, which permits such
altered foods to be marketed without any testing and without
labels, violates the agency's statutory mandate to protect
public health and provide consumers with relevant information
about the foods they eat. The suit also alleges that the
policy is a violation of religious freedom. The suit has been
coordinated by the Alliance for Bio-Integrity, with key
collaboration from the International Center for Technology
Assessment (CTA).
In the suit, plaintiffs challenge the marketing of 33
different genetically engineered whole foods which are
currently being sold without labeling or adequate safety
testing. These include potatoes, tomatoes, soy, corn, squash
and many other fruits and vegetables to which a variety of
new genes from different species have been added. These
genetically engineered whole foods are also used as
ingredients in processed foods, and have been reported to be
present in a number of mass-consumed food products from major
soy-based baby formulas to some of the most popular corn chip
brands.
A central issue in the case involves the consumer's right to
know about the new genetic material being engineered into
food. Labeling and testing are also vital given the health
risks that scientists have associated with gene-altered
foods. The most pressing health concern involves the impact
of inserting novel genes into fruits, vegetables and other
food products, according to the Alliance for Bio-Integrity.
With each gene insertion there is the possibility that a non-
toxic element in the food could become toxic and create a
human health hazard.
Food allergies are another major health concern with
genetically engineered foods. Without labeling, those with
food allergies will have no way of knowing what foods to
avoid. The problem was highlighted in a recent study reported
in the New England Journal of Medicine in which a gene from a
Brazil nut was introduced into soybeans. People who were
allergic to brazil nuts had an allergic reaction to the
engineered soy but had no reaction to the natural variety.
In addition to health concerns, millions of Americans feel
obligated to refrain from some or all genetically engineered
foods based on their ethical and religious principles. Many
Jews and Muslims need to avoid foods with substances from
specific animals, while strict vegetarians want to avoid
substances from any animal. Rabbi Harold White, Director of
Jewish Chaplaincy and Lecturer in Theology at Georgetown
University, stated, "We must resist the irresponsible and
irreversible sundering of the natural cross-breeding barriers
through which genes from bacteria and animals are being
permanently fused into every cell of our grains, fruits and
vegetables in ignorance of the full consequences. Since the
dawn of life on earth, Divine intelligence has systematically
prevented such combinations. Limited human intelligence
should not rush to make them commonplace."
Europe
On May 26, European Union (EU) farm ministers moved to
require manufacturers to label foods containing genetically
modified maize and soy. Despite the approval, the labeling
plans are still highly controversial. According to
Greenpeace, the European consumer association BEUC and Greens
in the European Parliament, a majority of gene-altered
products, including such common items as soy oil, margarine
and chocolate, will not be covered by the regulation because
the genetic manipulation cannot be traced. The ministers also
decided to delete the Commission's original proposal that
foodstuffs also be labeled if it was unclear whether the raw
materials used had been genetically altered.
Source: Consumers International press release, May 28, 1998.
CTA press release, May 27, 1998. "EU Adopts Controversial
Labeling Law for Gene Food," Reuters, May 26, 1998.
Contact: Global Policy and Campaigns Officer, Consumers
International, 24 Highbury Cresent, London N1 5RX, United
Kingdom; phone (44 171) 226 6663 ext. 206; fax (44-171) 354
0607; email lpetre@consint.org.
International Center for Technology Assessment, 310 D Street
NE, Washington DC 20002; phone (202) 547-9359; fax (202) 547-
9429; http www.icta.org.
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