Sen. Durbin Introduces Biotech Food Bill

For Immediate Release

Contact: Melissa Merz

(202) 224-7028

melissa_merz@durbin.senate.gov

October 18, 2000

DURBIN: EXPANDED RECALL OF BIOTECH CORN HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR NEW LAW TO PROTECT CONSUMERS, FARMERS

Washington, D.C. * With at least seven national companies announcing recalls related to StarLink corn * genetically engineered corn not approved for human use * U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today renewed his call for legislation to better protect consumers and farmers.

Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, last week introduced the Genetically Engineered Foods Act (S. 3184) to strengthen federal oversight of foods created by modern biotechnology.

Currently, federal review of genetically engineered foods is provided solely on a voluntary basis. The Genetically Engineered Food Act would make approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a requirement before any genetically engineered food is allowed into the marketplace.

"Consumers shouldn*t have to worry about ingredients in their foods that have not been approved for human use," Durbin said. "Farmers shouldn*t have to worry if their corn crops have become worthless due to contamination from unapproved genetically engineered corn. This legislation will strengthen FDA*s oversight of these new foods."

The recalled StarLink corn was approved only for animal feed. Consumption of the genetically engineered corn could possibly cause an allergic reaction due to the presence of an artificially introduced toxin designed to protect the plant from insect pests.

The StarLink corn recalls have disrupted operations at supermarkets, farms, grain elevators and milling operations across the country. "This has international impacts as well," Durbin said. "We certainly can*t sell this corn overseas if we*re busy recalling it here at home."

"More and more genetically engineered food is making its way onto our tables," Durbin said. "In a few years, we can expect to see not only biotech crops, but biotech farm animals, such as the genetically engineered salmon currently under FDA review. Oversight of these foods shouldn*t be left to industry or to consumer groups."

"Advances in technology are helping farmers be more productive and more environmentally sensitive. But we must make sure that our food safety system keeps pace with our agricultural productivity," Durbin added.

Durbin said the proposed legislation gives the FDA the authority to regulate genetically engineered foods in a way both scientifically sound and open to public participation. It directs the FDA to conduct a mandatory review of information provided by food producers and to make that information available to the public. After sufficient time for public input, the FDA would make the final decision on whether an ingredient is safe for human consumption. The FDA*s authority would apply to both domestic and imported foodstuffs.

The Genetically Engineered Foods Act also authorizes the FDA to test products on the market to determine whether unapproved genetically engineered materials are present. In addition, the measure directs the three agencies responsible for food safety * the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture * to improve the tests they use to determine the genetic variations present in food.

"Biotechnology has a great potential for making positive contributions to a host of human problems," Durbin said. "But we must never sacrifice food safety or consumer confidence as the pace of biotechnology breakthroughs quickens."

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