June 26, 2001 -- Industry experts speaking at a panel discussion on food biotechnology June 24, 2001, at the International Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Expo in New Orleans shared concerns that labeling food products as "non-GMO" may put
food companies and manufacturers at risk for liability. Increasing pressure from anti-biotech groups and product recalls associated with StarLink corn have compelled some food companies and retailers
to source "non-GMO" ingredients to protect the reputation of their brands.

"It's critical to look before you leap," said Thomas P. Redick, a liability attorney. "Activist groups have recently 'outed' a number of products promoted as 'non-GMO' resulting in product recalls and negative publicity for these
companies trying to meet perceived demands of customers. Without careful legal and scientific management of the process behind 'non-biotech' representations, these
companies may face fraud suits over the content of their products."

Panelists stressed the importance to food companies and retailers of recognizing the difference between consumer needs and the demands of
anti-biotech groups when deciding to source non-GMO ingredients.

Panel moderator Jerry Slocum, a farmer from Mississippi and international marketing chairman for the United Soybean Board (USB), said that, according to USB research, 48 percent of consumers responded that they do not know
enough about biotechnology to say how they view the use of genetically modified ingredients in food products. Out of the 62 percent who were aware of the term
"genetically modified," only 19 percent were aware of activist groups linked to the issue. Out of that 19 percent, 80 percent say they have not taken any action based on information provided by activist groups.

"If you project this back to the total population represented in our survey, less than 4 percent of consumers have taken any action in regard to genetically modified food," Slocum said. "It seems clear that activist groups are a very
vocal, but very small minority."

Food scientist Sara Risch concurred, saying, "Labeling a food product as 'non-GMO' is misleading. Consumers assume that 'non' means zero, and zero is hard to deliver. Food
companies and consumers alike must be educated on the benefits of food biotechnology such as providing more stable oils, healthier fatty acid profiles, and the incorporation of vitamins into products. Bowing to the
pressures of a few vocal anti-biotech groups really limits product development options for food companies."