Reps. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) and Jack Metcalf (R-WA) and a bipartisan group of 17 other members of the House have introduced legislation that requires labels on packaged food products that have been genetically engineered, altered or otherwise modified. Environmental and food safety advocates support it, but food processors say it's not necessary.

"No one is suggesting that genetically engineered food has proven to be dangerous or deadly," said Kucinich. "But today's limited scientific knowledge warrants allowing consumers to make a better, more informed choice. If we are what we eat, then consumers must know what they are eating."

Genetic engineering in today's foods confronts consumers with potential health risks that include increased toxicity, increased exposure to allergens, decreased nutritional value and increased antibiotic resistance, Kucinich says.

The American Corn Growers Association has endoresed the legislation. It "goes a long way towards providing the consumer the rights they deserve in known how their food was produced and what kinds of foods are contained in what they buy," says Gary Goldbert, ACGA CEO.

ACGA says Kucinich has promised to work on legislation early next year that contains liability waivers for those farmers facing potential litigation over purchasing, planting, harvesting and marketing either GMO or non-GMO seeds.

"Our objective in future legislation is to place the liability for any damages squarely on the shoulders of the seed companies, where it belongs," adds Goldberg. "These seeds are being sold as safe and marketable. If they are not, then the fault lies with the manufacturer and seller of the GMO seeds, not with the agricultural producer."

Lisa Katic, registered dietician and director of scientific and nutrition policy for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, said, "To require that these foods bear special labeling to distinguish them in a meaningless way from their traditional counterparts would certainly mislead consumers into believing that these products are somehow different or perhaps unsafe. To the contrary, unsafe foods may not be marketed in the United States, and foods derived through biotechnology that significantly differ from their traditional counterparts must already be specially labeled."

The National Food Processors Association says "obviously" the bill is not about consumer protection. NFPA Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications says the bill would exempt restaurants and other establishments that prepare food for immediate consumption.

Given that current statistics indicate that nearly half the food consumed in the United States comes from such establishments, "it is unclear why Rep. Kucinich does not feel such a requirement would be necessary across the board."

A coalition of environmental and consumer groups will urge the Food and Drug Administration to tighten regulation of genetically engineered foods and require them to be labeled.