Administration to Propose New Rules for GMOs

May 3, 2000

The Clinton administration will propose new oversight of genetically modified foods, but the steps appear unlikely to mollify critics of biotechnology, THE WASHINGTON POST reports.

Before marketing a new genetically modified product, biotechnology companies would have to notify the Food and Drug Administration four months in advance and provide information to the agency and the public. In addition, the FDA would regulate label claims that foods are free of genetically-modified organisms.

The Agriculture Department would have a role in validating new tests that claim to show whether a product contains GMOs. USDA or another body would set up common standards for such claims and validate them.

GMO critics immediately said the new steps were insufficient, but food industry groups generally praised the administration. s actions, THE POST reports.