Tuesday, February 5, 2008

I learned from a recent WebMD newsletter that coming soon to a market near you, meat and milk from cloned animals and probably without disclosure labels. Labels will equal higher cost for products from cloned animals and even higher for products from non-cloned animals. What issues or concerns, if any, should be considered?

From the article:
FDA: Meat of Cloned Animals Safe to EatAgency Says Milk and Meat From Clones Pose No Risks to Humans
The FDA concluded last month that meat and milk from cloned animals is safe for human consumption, clearing the way for clones to enter the U.S. food supply.The much-anticipated decision was the culmination of years of review by the agency, which has been investigating whether cloning puts animals at risk of genetic changes that could be dangerous if consumed by humans.

Labeling Controversy

Joseph Mendelson, legal director of the consumer watchdog group Center for Food Safety, says his group and others would now shift part of their focus to requiring producers to label meat and milk from cloned parents. "Labeling is going to be a big fight," he says.
Karen Batra, the cattlemen's association spokeswoman, says her industry would oppose labels drawing a distinction between traditional meat and meat from cloned sources. "The science says there is no difference between the two, and it's perfectly safe, and it doesn't need to be labeled," she says.
Stephen Sundlof, the director of the FDA's Center of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, says the agency did not intend to label cloned products on grocery store shelves. "The FDA does not require labeling if there are no food safety issues."

1 comment:

srome said...

VERY interesting. I'd like to get more information on this.