A new report by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), calling for mandatory labeling of foods produced through the use of agricultural biotechnology, “is the wrong approach to enhancing consumers’ understanding of biotechnology,” according to the National Food Processors Association (NFPA).
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“CFA’s position is that mandatory labeling will help to enhance consumer confidence in biotechnology,” said Dr. Rhona Applebaum, NFPA’s Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications. “However, NFPA believes that the focus should be on education, rather than labeling, to help consumers understand biotechnology and its benefits. The information needed to enhance consumer confidence in this important technology cannot be conveyed by a label on food products – particularly a warning-type label.”
Dr. Applebaum stated that “NFPA and its member companies have strongly supported the current FDA policy on labeling requirements for biotech foods. We believe it is essential that mandatory labeling be reserved for information that is material – that is, information that goes to the safety, health, composition, or nutritional value of the food. However, we also believe that criteria are needed for ensuring that any label claims for ‘biotech’ or ‘biotech-free’ products are truthful and non-misleading for consumers. The Food and Drug Administration has stated its intention to soon issue formal guidance on this issue.”
Dr. Applebaum noted that “FDA also is expected to soon issue a proposed rule making the pre-market review process mandatory, and to make the information on which their decisions are based transparent and publicly available. This is the right decision. A mandatory consultation process will lead to increased consumer confidence in this important technology.”
“We think that the best way to increase consumer confidence in biotechnology is to let FDA’s scientific expertise guide decision-making on the regulatory process,” Dr. Applebaum concluded. “Clearly, the regulations governing biotechnology should be based on sound science, not political pressure.”
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By GlobalDataNFPA is the voice of the $460 billion food processing industry on scientific and public policy issues involving food safety, nutrition, technical and regulatory matters and consumer affairs.
For further information or to arrange an interview with an NFPA spokesperson on this subject, call Timothy Willard, NFPA’s Vice President of Communications, at (202) 637-8060; Libby Mikesell, Senior Director of Communications, at (202) 639-5919; or visit NFPA’s Website at www.nfpa-food.org.
