Look what I've found. A letter from the Grocery Manufacturers of America opposing Puerto Rico's GMO labeling bill.

GMA Letter of Opposition to Puerto Rico Biotech Food Labeling Bill

The Honorable Roberto Vigoreaux Lorenzana Chairman, Committee on Banking and Consumer Affairs The Senate of Puerto Rico The Capitol San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-3431

Dear Chairman Vigoreaux Lorenzana:

On behalf of the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), I am writing to urge your opposition to Senate Bill 621. As you know, SB 621 seeks to mandate labeling for "foods produced through biotechnological means" and is scheduled to be heard by the Committee on Banking and Consumer Affairs on Wednesday, October 10.

GMA is the world's largest association of food, beverage and consumer product companies. GMA members employ more than 2.5 million workers in the United States. The staff of GMA applies legal, scientific and political expertise from its member companies to vital food, nutrition and public policy issues affecting the industry at the state, federal and international levels on legislative and regulatory issues.

With its unfounded assertion that biotech foods are somehow less safe than foods produced through traditional means, SB 621 would create unnecessary and misleading labels on many food products sold in Puerto Rico. These labels will increase the cost of consumer food products by requiring administration of food labeling programs that will potentially restrict food choices for Puerto Rico consumers.

Food biotechnology is already regulated by three government agencies (the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency) and has the support of several world health organizations. The FDA, which regulates the introduction and labeling of biotech foods, holds producers legally responsible for the safety and wholesomeness of any food product placed on the market. All foods, regardless of whether they are produced using biotechnology or not, are regulated for their individual safety, toxicity and the presence of allergens.

After decades of scientific review, the FDA has determined that foods produced through biotechnology are equivalent to foods developed through crossbreeding and other traditional methods. Thus, compulsory biotech labeling requirements for Puerto Rico provide no additional significant or useful information to consumers. In fact, research shows that mandatory labeling of biotechnology products has the negative impact of misleading consumers to believe foods derived from biotechnology are harmful when the best current scientific evidence indicates they are not.

Based on the concerns mentioned, I urge your opposition to SB 621. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

M. Troy Flanagan Manager, State Affairs