Winter 1994 (v6n1)
	Briefly Noted Compiled by David Campbell, SAREP FDA Approves Bovine Growth Hormone On November 5, 1993 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of bovine growth (bGH or bST), ending a nine-year regulatory review of the controversial biotechnology product. In addition, the FDA indicated that it will not require milk produced with the synthetic hormone to be labeled as such. A 90-day moratorium on commercial sale of the product took effect immediately, as approved by Congress during the 1993-94 budget bill negotiations. During the moratorium period, the Office of Management and Budget is studying the potential economic effects of bGH on dairy farmers. Many dairy processors, including the processors of 80 percent of California's milk, have planned a "voluntary moratorium" on milk produced with bGH. Washington State Suspends Mevinphos Use The state of Washington recently suspended use of the insecticide mevinphos in fruit orchards after 18 farm workers were poisoned by the chemical. Most of the victims were involved in mixing or spraying the chemical, which is also known by its brand name Phosdrin. The pesticide is commonly used to control aphids on apple and pear orchards. Washington Department of Agriculture officials noted that the toxicity of the chemical is so high that it cannot be washed off fast enough if it gets on the skin. Amvac, maker of the product, stood by the safety of the product. Farm worker advocates hailed the ban as one of the few times a pesticide has been banned due to farm worker health rather than harm to consumers. Mevinphos is currently registered for use in California orchards, but the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is sending a notice of impending suspension to the manufacturers, who will be required to do toxicity studies by next spring. The U.S. EPA is considering a nationwide ban on the product. For more information see "EPA's Region 10 Issues Warning to Prevent More Poisoning Incidents From Exposure to Pesticide Phosdrin," EPA Press Release, August 20, 1993 USDA to Double School Produce Purchases The USDA has announced a new "fresh start" program intended to improve the nutritional quality of school meals. The department pledged to double its purchase of fruits and vegetables for school meals, for a new total of 18 million pounds per year. Despite the increase, fresh produce will still account for a small percentage of the 1 billion pounds of commodities purchased by the USDA for school lunches. For more information or to make written comments on the Fresh Start Program, contact "Nutrition Objectives," Stanley C. Garnett, USDA/FNS/CND, 3101 Park Center Drive, #1007, Alexandria, VA 22302. (703) 305-2590 Herbicide-Tolerant Crops and California Farmworkers A recent survey of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that herbicide tolerance is the most commonly field-tested trait in genetically engineered crop trials. For example, Monsanto has sought to develop genetically engineered canola to tolerate glyphosate. Glyphosate is one of the top ten chemicals in terms of worker illness in California agriculture. Calgene has recently asked for permission from the USDA to begin large scale field testing of bromoxynil-tolerant cotton. Bromoxynil, a proven mutagen, is readily absorbed through the skin, and both the California and U.S. Environmental Protection Agencies have increased worker protection requirements for its use. For more information see The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service, August 31,1993, or call PANNA at (415) 541-9140. Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Last August the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance requiring "any food product that is or contains material that has been genetically engineered through such techniques as recombinant DNA, cell fusion, or somoclonal variation" to bear the label: "This food is genetically engineered." It was rescinded in November after a coalition of food and biotechnology industry representatives told the aldermen that their definition of genetically engineered foods could have included as much as 80 percent of the cheese sold in Chicago, and many soft drinks and baked goods. Aldermen who had supported the ordinance cited the desire of their constituents to know when a product has been genetically altered. This debate about the definition of genetically engineered foods and labeling is becoming more common as individuals and groups seek to alert the public about food production methods. [ Back | Search | Feedback ]