Articles

RSS

The following press release was issued today by The Alliance for Better Foods:

Declaring ``America's consumers deserve to hear the truth about agricultural biotechnology and its environmental and economic benefits,'' food industry spokesperson Gene Grabowski opened a panel discussion of biotech foods with a diverse group representing the agriculture, health and the biotechnology industries at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) annual conference.

``We're here to serve as a truth squad,'' said Grabowski, Vice President of Communications for the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), the world's largest association of food, beverage and consumer product companies. ``Agricultural biotechnology brings real and tangible results to consumers, farmers and the environment.''

Grabowski said the ``Truth Squad'' was formed to counter the misinformation campaign of anti-biotech demonstrators assembled in San Diego. The ``Truth Squad'' includes San Diego County citrus farmer Al Stehly, Iowa soybean and corn farmer Reg Clause, registered dietician Karen Kafer and Dr. Michael J. Phillips, executive director of food and agriculture at BIO.

``As a farmer growing biotech corn and soybeans I can attest first hand to two very important reasons why America and the developing world needs biotech crops,'' Clause said. ``I use less pesticides on my crops and I am getting more food out of my fields. If I had any doubts about the safety of these crops, I wouldn't grow them and I wouldn't let my family work in the fields with them.''

In addition, biotech crops enable farmers to plow less, which means less soil erosion and less runoff into rivers and streams. And by improving the productivity on existing farmland, biotech crops help in the preservation of natural wildlife areas.

``I'm excited about the potential benefits biotechnology can bring to citrus and grape farming,'' said San Diego County farmer Al Stehly. ``The grape industry in Anaheim was entirely wiped out by Pierce's disease and San Diego County has been dramatically impacted as well. There is no cure, but biotech researchers have made discoveries that make us optimistic that the rest of California, including Napa Valley, might never experience this devastating disease.''

``Foods made from biotechnology crops are safe and every bit as nutritious as conventional and organic foods,'' said registered dietician Karen Kafer regarding the regulation of biotech foods. ``The current system we have, which allows voluntary labeling of products made from biotechnology crops, is working and guarantees consumers safe and nutritious foods.''

``The science behind the safety of these crops is sound and irrefutable,'' said Dr. Phillips. ``Biotech crops are among the most tested products in the world and have been used in our food products for the last six to seven years and there have been no reported illnesses as a result of eating any of these food products.''

Source: The Alliance for Better Foods