CFSAN Constituent Update - Food From Genetically Engineered Plants Is Safe To Eat

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition - Constituent Update
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/default.htm

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FDA Issues Guidance on Labeling of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants

The FDA recognizes that many consumers are interested in whether food ingredients are derived from genetically engineered (GE) plants. Last week, we issued final guidance for manufacturers who wish to voluntarily label their foods as containing or not containing such ingredients.

While genetic engineering is sometimes referred to as “genetic modification” producing “genetically modified organisms (GMOs),” FDA considers “genetic engineering” to be the more precise term.

The agency is not aware of any valid scientific information showing that foods derived from genetically engineered plants, as a class of foods, differ from other foods in any meaningful way. GE foods don’t present greater safety concerns than foods developed by traditional plant breeding.

To learn more about FDA’s policy and labeling requirements for genetically engineered crops that are materially different from their traditional counterparts, please see our web page on Labeling of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants.