From: hassen@snip.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 5:00 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Cc: hassen@snip.net
Subject: Oppose FDA's New Regulations on Genetically Engineered Food

Kristi Hassen
210 Lakeview Dr
Collingswood, NJ  08108

hassen@snip.net


RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598

Dear FDA,
 
I am disappointed with your new policies on genetically engineered foods. The FDA still fails to require safety testing and mandatory labeling on these products. Your "notification" ignores strong scientific evidence of various potential health and environmental risks. Obviously these foods could be toxic, or cause allergic responses, could have lower nutritional value, could compromise immune responses in consumers, and could cause irreparable damage to the environment. We need more time & testing before we allow such products to be mass-produced & marketed.

I also oppose your new "voluntary labeling" policy, which denies us a basic right to know. Without mandatory labeling, it will be virtually impossible for anyone to tell if an allergic or toxic reaction is the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers like myself will also be deprived of the critical knowledge they need to hold food producers liable should any of these novel foods prove hazardous - as you well know.

Your proposed rules ignore serious concerns and appear to be a decision made to convenience industry at the expense of public health and the environment. Please employ intelligence & humanity with this issue. Help restore our faith in our governmental agencies - particularly yours.


Thank you & Sincerely,



Kristi Hassen