The McLean, Virginia-based American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) announced on February 6 that it will partner with the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, a recently launched, broad-based coalition led by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), to advocate for a federal labeling solution for food products made with genetically modified ingredients.
AFFI and its coalition partners are seeking the enactment of federal legislation that creates a voluntary program, administered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to evaluate food labels that claim the presence, or absence, of genetically enhanced ingredients.
“AFFI is pleased to join the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food and looks forward to working with our coalition partners and lawmakers in support of a responsible and effective federal labeling program that prevents the creation of a complicated patchwork of state-based labeling rules that would increase, rather than reduce, consumer confusion,” said AFFI President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz.
According to a posting on the coalition’s website: “American food and beverage companies have led the world in safe, quality food production for generations. Over the last two decades, the food industry has used genetically modified (GM) technology to produce these same products. Today, foods that have been genetically modified make up 70-80% of the foods we eat. Ingredients grown using GM technology are not only safe, but they also have a number of important benefits. GM crops are more plentiful, better for the environment and keep production costs down for farmers, ultimately lowering costs for consumers across the country.
“We will continue to advocate for the continued safe and effective use of agricultural biotechnology to increase the food supply while lowering cost. And we will continue to engage in an informative dialogue with policy makers so that they understand the safety, prevalence and benefits of GM technology.”
In addition AFFI, GMA and NCGA, other members of the coalition include the National Association of Manufacturers, National Confectioners Association, National Fisheries Institute, National Restaurant Association, National Turkey Federation and Snack Food Association American Bakers Association, American Beverage Association, American Soybean Association, Corn Refiners. Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association, Global Cold Chain Alliance and International Dairy Foods Association.
