You have a right to know what’s in your food

If you didn’t know that the majority of processed foods available in US grocery stores contain genetically engineered material, we’re not surprised. There are no laws in the US requiring labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods.

Yet unlike the strict safety evaluations for approval of new drugs, there are no mandatory human clinical trials of genetically engineered crops, no tests for carcinogenicity or harm to fetuses, no long-term testing for human health risks, no requirement for long-term testing on animals, and limited testing for allergenicity. There have been no epidemiological studies of the possible impacts of the consumption of GE crops on health.

The safety of GE crops for human consumption has not been adequately assessed. Several National Academy of Sciences studies have affirmed that genetically engineered crops have the potential to introduce new toxins or allergens into our food and environment. Moreover, scientists recently found that the insecticide in GE corn is now showing up in our bloodstream and the umbilical cord blood of pregnant women.

Meanwhile, the majority of the livestock Americans consume have been raised on genetically engineered grains.

We’ve joined an effort with hundreds of organizations called the “Just Label It” campaign. It supports a petition to the FDA that calls for disclosing genetically engineered food ingredients on food labels .

Many other countries, including Japan, Australia, the European Union, and even China already require labeling of genetically engineered foods.

A legal petition (Docket # FDA-2011-P-0723-0001/CP) has been filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling on the FDA to label genetically engineered (GE) foods. Now is our opportunity to be heard.

Let’s flood the FDA with comments so they know that the public wants labeling of GE foods!

Please copy the sample letter below and then click "Take Action" to submit it to the FDA.

Sample Letter:

Dear Commissioner Hamburg,

I am writing to urge the FDA to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. I have a right to know about the food I eat and what I feed my family.

In America, we pride ourselves on having choices and making informed decisions. Under current FDA regulations, we don't have that choice when it comes to GE ingredients in the foods we purchase and feed our families. Labeling is essential for me to choose whether or not I want to consume or feed my family genetically engineered foods.

Genetically engineered foods are required to be labeled in the 15 European Union nations, Russia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries around the world. As an American, I firmly believe I should also have the right to know if my foods have been genetically engineered.

I have health concerns about GE food. There have been no epidemiological studies of the possible impacts of the consumption of GE crops on health. The National Academy of Sciences has acknowledged the potential of GE foods to introduce new toxins or allergens into our environment.

Moreover, 93% of Americans want the federal government to require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.

Please show your support for the interests of the American people by labeling genetically engineered foods.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Please note: You will be asked to fill in identifying information that will be publicly visible in the FDA docket. For "Organization Name," type in your own name. For "Submitter's Representative," type in your own name. For "Category," select Health Professional or Individual Consumer. Thank you for taking action!