From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org] Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 4:49 PM To: FDA Commissioner Cc: president@whitehouse.gov; vice.president@whitehouse.gov; fdadockets@oc.fda.gov; fdadockets@oc.fda.gov Subject: Oppose the New FDA Regulations on GE Foods! FDA Commissioner Dockets Management Branch (HFA 305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fisher's Lane, rm. 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598 As a food and nutrition professional, mother, and grandmother, I am very concerned about genetic engineering. I keep very abreast on this issue from following research to writing and giving presentations on the issue. I consider my self very educated on the issue. Genetic engineering involves manipulations of genes between different species and allows scientists to bypass the natural barriers which protect the genetic integrity of species. Foods containing or produced from genetic engineering can cause allergic responses, be toxic, have lowered nutritional value and/or compromise immune responses in consumers. Likewise, genetically engineered crops can have unpredictable, irreversible changes to the environment. FDA's proposal for companies to merely voluntary consult with FDA concerning the safety of their foods is totally inadequate. FDA must require MANDATORY pre-market safety testing. FDA's proposed rule that environmental review procedures be exempt under the National Environmental Policy Act does not protect the environment. FDA must require MANDATORY pre-market environmental review. FDA's proposed rule makes all labeling of genetically engineered foods (GEFs) only voluntary. This does not protect my right-to-know or allow me consumer choice to protect my family and the environment. Voluntary labeling unfairly reverses the financial burden onto producers who do not use GEFs. Mandatory labeling is essential for the traceability of GEF products throughout the food supply for health professionals. Mandatory labeling also protects overseas markets for farmers. FDA must require MANDATORY labeling of GEFs. FDA's proposed rule is unlikely to provide the public with adequate information on GEFs for independent review. The FDA notes that producers of GEFs may claim that any such information, including the premarket notification, is trade secret or confidential business information subject to exemption from public disclosure requirements. FDA must require full disclosure. I will settle for nothing less than mandatory safety testing, labeling, pre-market environmental review, and full diclosure. All GEFs should be taken off supermarket shelves until these are established.> Sincerely, Sue Roberts, MS, RD, LD Sue Roberts 1515 Linden 3205 Des Moines, IA, 50309 CC: The President Vice President Dick Cheney FDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00N-1396] Senator Charles E. Grassley Senator Tom Harkin Representative Greg GanskeFDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00D-1598] To the recipient -- this fax/email message has come to you via the Center for Food Safety web site -- a public tool for providing input on food safety issues. The user/site visitor had complete control over editing the content of this message. Thus, the opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of CFS or its parent organization, ICTA. Please contact CFS at (202)547-9359 or email office@centerforfoodsafety.org with any questions. Thank you. ___________________________________________________________________________ This letter was composed at www.foodsafetynow.org, a web site maintained by: The Center for Food Safety, 666 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 302 Washington, DC 20003 PH: (202)547-9359 Fax: (202)547-9429 Email: office@centerforfoodsafety.org web: www.centerforfoodsafety.org