From: Andra Granek [agranek@imgcorp.com]
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 10:44 AM
To: 'fdadockets@oc.fda.gov'; 'execsec@oc.fda.gov'; 'Billstanly@aol.com'; Tracy Grinnell; Katy Huggins; 'MITGLK@aol.com'
Cc: 'taylorj@basil.stthom.edu'
Subject: FDA voluntary labeling guidelines are not good enough 

To: Food and Drug Administration 
       Docket Management Branch (HFA-305) (fdadockets@oc.fda.gov)
       
      Commissioner 
      Food And Drug Administration
      Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305) (execsec@oc.fda.gov)


I am concerned that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed regulations that still fail to require labels or safety tests on genetically engineered food. Labels on genetically engineered foods are required in Japan, Russia, and throughout Europe, however Americans are not provided the right to know what is in our food.

It is essential that our food labels inform us and protect us from potential health effects.  Doctors and scientists have warned about the potential for genetically engineered foods to trigger dangerous allergies, change the nutritional value of foods, and cause irreversible harm to the environment.   The FDA's "voluntary labeling" guidelines leave us without the option of choosing whether or not we eat such foods.   
 
I am aware that companies are required to notify the FDA when bringing genetically engineered foods to market, but it fails to require any safety testing and only voluntary labeling. 

I urge you to reconsider this proposal and insure that genetically engineered foods are subject to pre-market testing and labeling.


Andra Granek
Houston, Texas