Reevaluating the Food and Drug Administration's Stand on Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods

Authors

Library of Congress Authority File

http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79122466.html

Document Type

Comment

Abstract

This Comment argues that the FDA must reconsider its position on the labeling of genetically engineered foods. There is no doubt that genetic engineering of food promises a number of significant benefits to both the consumer and the farmer, and has become a permanent part of the food supply. But recent research points out that these benefits do not come without significant risks, both to the consumer and to the environment. A federal requirement that genetically engineered foods be labeled as such is a necessary step to promote confidence in the American consumer in the face of unease over these very real risks.9 Moreover, in the absence of a federal labeling standard, individual states have the power to impose their own labeling standards. A federal labeling standard is thus necessary to occupy the field and prevent any disruption in the national food marketplace due to a proliferation of differing state labeling standards. Finally, international initiatives for labeling genetically engineered foods are proceeding much more rapidly than are United States national labeling initiatives. A federal labeling standard is required to provide leadership to a global food marketplace that is demanding labeling and remains extremely skeptical of genetically engineered food.'

Recommended Citation

Reevaluating the Food and Drug Administration's Stand on Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods, 35 San Diego L. Rev. (1998).
Available at: https://digital.sandiego.edu/sdlr/vol35/iss4/8