You should never expect that food labels will let you know whether the hamburger meat you are choosing comes from a cloned animal.
According to the report of The Associated Press, once the American government has approved of consumption of food coming from cloned animals (this approval is expected within the next year), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not planning to require any special labeling. Generally, the calculation is that if the food appears to be safe to eat, its source doesn’t have to be recognized.
The public comment period on the FDA’s introductory approval lasts until 2 April 2007. After that, the FDA will review and evaluate the comments. "It is probable that the decision will be made before the end of 2007, however there are no promises at this point," explained Dr Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA’s Centre for Veterinary Medicine, after the agency had issued its findings in the end of the last year.
According to the Associated Press, there will be at least one way that American customers will be able to make sure that they do not buy cloned products. The US Department of Agriculture offered a green seal to foods that are produced organically. This will certify that the food doesn’t come from cloned animals.
Caren Wilcox, who is the leader of the Organic Trade Association, is quoted by the wire service as saying the green USDA seal will also mean the food is not cloned. "Organic animal products will not come from cloned animals," she explained.
