SANA Biotechnology Statement
The Soyfoods Association of North America believes that consumers have the right to enjoy a safe and nutritious food supply and that soy foods play an important role in meeting consumers needs in this regard.
The FDA, EPA, and USDA have established a regulatory framework that provides methods for evaluating the safety of foods produced from genetically modified (GM) crops and their further processed products. Soybeans produced from genetically engineered seeds have met the regulatory approval processes for these agencies. We support continued research into the safety, environmental impact and potential benefits of soybeans produced using biotechnology.
The soy foods industry recognizes that consumers have a right to select foods based on how these foods are grown or processed. Soy foods companies currently have a choice to use either GM or non-GM soybeans or soybean ingredients in their food products based upon their consumer’s needs or any potential benefits which may be derived from their use.
Accordingly, manufacturers using soybeans or soy protein ingredients from non-genetically modified soybeans should be able to identify these products as being made from non-GM soybeans. However, because regulatory agencies and the food industry have yet to agree on a reasonable tolerance level for trace amounts of genetically modified material that may appear inadvertently in finished food products, food manufacturers will need to assume the responsibility of providing information on the sources of non-GM soybeans or soy-derived ingredients used in their food products.
Standards/Technical Committee
January, 2000
