EU Approves Clearly Labeled Biotech Foods

The European Union’s Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, France, approved legislation to allow new biotech foods to be sold in Europe if they are clearly labeled. Hundreds of American-made foods would have to be labeled because they contain starches or syrups derived from genetically engineered corn.

The 15 European Union governments are expected to approve the rules this month. The law would lift a five-year freeze on the introduction of biotech products. U.S. officials have said that labeling will be too expensive and that the new system would be an unfair trade barrier.