From: MargoMarsMom27@cs.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 7:32 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: What's in your food? (FDA Dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598)


Dear Corporate and Government Leaders,

Neither government nor industry is protecting Americans from the risks posed to human health and the environment by genetically engineered (GE) foods. The Food and Drug Administration's "new" policy on GE foods (proposed January 18, 2001) continues to let the biotech industry regulate itself; it fails to require the long-term, pre-market safety testing demanded by independent experts. The "voluntary labeling" guidelines are a wholly inadequate response to the overwhelming public support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Therefore, I urge you to keep all genetically engineered ingredients and crops off the market unless:

1) Independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment, 

2) They are labeled to ensure the consumer's right-to-know, and 

3) The biotechnology corporations that manufacture them are held accountable for any harms they may cause.


It only makes sense for consumers to know what they are consuming.  We already benefit from labeling of other ingredients in our food products and the labeling of GE foods should be included.  B&G Foods, Inc. does already and all others companies should follow as well. After all, the consumer pays the ultimate price. 


Sincerely

Margo Oddo
166-47 24th Avenue
Whitestone, New York 11357