Oregon measure's proponents take aim at modified foods

SALEM, Ore. -- The food industry is mounting a major effort to scuttle the first attempt by a state to require labels on genetically engineered foods.

A measure that will be on the November ballot in Oregon would require labeling of all modified food and food additives sold in stores and restaurants, and any such food produced in the state.

"If this ballot measure passes, it would set a dangerous precedent that would result in significant costs to taxpayers and consumers," said Gene Grabowski of the Alliance for Better Foods, based in Washington. The national coalition of food producers and retailers, biotech companies and agricultural groups has hired a Portland consulting firm to put together what promises to be a multimillion-dollar campaign.

They are pitted against activists who worry that genetic engineering could cause unintended or harmful side effects.

"We could be creating something we can't control," said Donna Harris, a chief sponsor of the measure. "They haven't done any human testing of this in the United States."

Labeling requirements already exist in Japan and parts of Europe, but there are none in the United States so far.

Based on the overall amount of genetically modified crops, industry and environmental groups estimate that 70 percent of processed foods on U.S. supermarket shelves contains some genetically engineered components.

The main crops that come from genetically altered seeds are soybeans and corn, along with canola that is turned into oil, according to the Agriculture Department.

Products made from modified soybeans include bread, candy, cereal, chocolates, crackers, flour, frozen yogurt, ice cream, infant formula, margarine and pasta, according to the Seattle-based Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods.

Pro and con

Proponents say genetic engineering can boost the nutritional content of food or allow farmers to grow more pest-resistant crops that require less chemical treatment.

Grabowski, the food industry spokesman, also said there is already plenty of government regulation of food quality and that fear of harm by genetically modified foods is unfounded.

"It's in all kinds of food, and there's never been a single case of illness or any other problem," he said.

Backers of the labeling measure say too little is known about the long-term health effects of genetically engineered foods.

"It's like little kids playing with a chemistry set in a back bedroom. You hope they don't burn down the house," said Craig Winters, head of the Seattle campaign.