From: l.k.weiss@att.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 7:51 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: What's in your food? (FDA Dockets 00N-1396 and 00D-1598)


Dear Corporate and Government Leaders,

Neither government nor industry is protecting Americans from the risks posed to human health and the environment by genetically engineered (GE) foods. The Food and Drug Administration's "new" policy on GE foods (proposed January 18, 2001) continues to let the biotech industry regulate itself; it fails to require the long-term, pre-market safety testing demanded by independent experts. The "voluntary labeling" guidelines are a wholly inadequate response to the overwhelming public support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Therefore, I urge you to keep all genetically engineered ingredients and crops off the market unless:

1) Independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment, 

2) They are labeled to ensure the consumer's right-to-know, and 

3) The biotechnology corporations that manufacture them are held accountable for any harms they may cause.


In addition, my family will not be able to eat foods that have been altered due to religious preference to eat kosher foods. Certain foods cannot be kosher if mixed together. I have no way of knowing what you have mixed, therefore we have no way of eating commercial foods anymore. Please consult with Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit, Southfield MI and at least let them be privy to the contents of altered food.  In addition, we have food sensitive people in our household who cannot eat peanuts, seafood, corn, and some vegetables. How will we know if any of these have been mixed with other foods that we do eat?  Give us a break!!! 


Sincerely

linda weiss
3555 Cherrywood ln
ann arbor, Michigan 48103