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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday
that meat and milk from cloned animals and their offspring
are as safe for human consumption as those produced by conventional
livestock, but that doesn't mean major meat processors are
lining up to dabble with the technology.
Smithfield Foods, for one, said it isn't so sure the technology
is quite there yet, reiterating its position that the company
isn't planning to produce meat from cloned animals.
"The science involved in cloning animals is relatively new,"
the company said in a prepared statement, issued just hours
before FDA's official announcement. "As thoughtful leaders
in our industry, we will continue to monitor further scientific
research on this technology."
Smithfield isn't alone. Tyson Foods also said the use of
cloned animals is not in its plans.
"Tyson currently has no plans to purchase cloned livestock,
especially since it will likely be a long time before such
animals would even be available for market," Tyson spokesman
Gary Mickelson told Meatingplace.com .
"Whatever measures we ultimately take will be guided by
government regulations and the desires of our customers
and consumers."
FDA issued three documents outlining its regulatory approach
on cloning, including a risk assessment, a risk management
plan and guidance for the industry. The agency originally
released these documents in draft form in December 2006,
when it gave its preliminary blessing of food from cloned
animals. Since then, more information has reinforced its
position, the agency said.
Moratorium
Producers have since 2001 agreed to a voluntary moratorium
on introducing meat or milk from clones or their progeny
into the food supply while FDA investigated the issue, and
the government is asking that the moratorium remain in place
during a transition period in which stakeholders will mull
marketing strategies.
"Keep in mind that the moratorium is an aspect of allowing
the marketplace to adjust," Bruce Knight, USDA's under secretary
for marketing and regulatory programs, told reporters. "This
is about market access because, with the FDA announcement,
the food safety issues have been resolved."
Because FDA has deemed food from cloned livestock and their
progeny to be "no different" than that produced by conventional
animals, the agency is not requiring special labeling. However,
FDA said it will, on a case-by-case basis, consider producers'
requests to voluntarily label their products.
There are currently some 600 animal clones in the United
States, most of which are breeding animals, "so few clones
will ever arrive in the marketplace," said Knight. The progeny
of clones would be used for producing meat and milk for
the marketplace.
The FDA ruling deems meat and milk from clones of cattle,
swine and goats, "and the offspring of clones from any species
traditional consumed as food," as safe to eat, though the
agency said there was insufficient information to reach
a conclusion on the safety of food from other animals, such
as sheep.
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