GMA Says Kraft Acted in Consumers' Best Interest

September 25, 2000

Grocery Manufacturers of America President and Chief Executive Officer C. Manly Molpus says a voluntary recall issued by Kraft Foods, Inc., of specific taco shell products from grocery stores, was "in the best interest of its consumers."

Molpus. statement continued, "We believe that this situation suggests there may be some improvements needed in the regulatory system. Kraft has made specific suggestions for enhancing the safe entry of biotech foods into the marketplace that we believe merit serious consideration by the appropriate regulatory agencies."

In comments filed earlier this year with the Food and Drug Administration, GMA called for mandatory review by FDA of all new plant biotechnology products, which is among the suggestions offered by Kraft.

"GMA will be working with federal agencies in the days to come to evaluate what steps may need to be taken to prevent this situation from occurring again," Molpus said.

Several members of Congress sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Jane Henney order a recall of Taco Bell taco shells, because the food industry "has disregarded public health concerns."

Spearheaded by Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who advocates labeling of all food with genetically engineered contents, the letter also requested that all food products containing yellow corn No. 2 be independently tested, because the corn was "likely placed in the bulk corn commodity market."