Letter of the Day: Labeling costs

Labeling costs

EDITOR: There has been recent controversy about labeling genetically engineered foods as such. Certainly those who want their food so labeled are entitled to it - provided they're willing to pay for it.

I'm sure readers have observed the price differential between certified organic fruits and vegetables and ordinary ones. Labeling genetically engineered foods appears to be a more complicated process than certifying organic foods, thus more expensive. Organic certification involves merely inspecting and auditing the farms on which they are grown. Genetic engineering would additionally involve DNA testing, a bureaucracy to keep track of these tests, inspectors and the judicial expense of enforcing compliance.

I, and many others, don't wish to pay this additional expense in our food bills because we understand some of the process of genetic engineering and don't feel threatened by it.

LAWRENCE SHAPIRO

Sebastopol