Review process for biotech products proposed

REVIEW PROCESS FOR BIOTECH PRODUCTS PROPOSED In an effort to ease public anxiety about genetically engineered food, a mandatory review process for new biotech products has been proposed by the government. The process will include posting scientific data on the Internet.

The FDA depends on biotech

companies for voluntary consultation with the agency before releasing new biotech crops. The agency has also proposed voluntary labeling guidelines for foods that claim to be nonbiotech or to have special biotech ingredients. The new labeling guidelines are expected to help makers of organic foods and other products that cater to consumers concerned about biotechnology. The guidelines also would bar promotion of nonbiotech products as being superior to genetically-modified products.