NEW CONSUMER CAMPAIGN TARGETING KRAFT FOODS LAUNCHED IN 170 CITIES TODAY

Group Calls for safety testing and labeling of all genetically engineered foods, Asks Kraft Foods to remove GE ingredients from its products

Washington, DC -- Today consumer activists in over 170 cities around the United States, Canada, and Australia launched a new campaign that calls on Kraft Foods to remove untested, unlabeled genetically engineered ingredients from its products. Kraft Foods is the largest food and beverage company in the US and a subsidiary of Philip Morris company. The Genetically Engineered Food Alert coalition demonstrated at grocery stores around the country in an effort to draw attention to the public health and environmental concerns associated with genetically engineered foods and to inform consumers that Kraft Food's genetically engineered products are neither adequately safety tested nor labeled.

"We are urging Kraft Foods to remove all genetically engineered ingredients from its products until adequate testing, labeling and liability are put into place to protect our health and the environment," stated Kate Madigan, advocate for the State PIRGs, a member group of the Genetically Engineered Food Alert coalition. "Consumers, students, and investors are joining us in this urgent call to Kraft Foods to remove untested and labeled genetically engineered ingredients from its products," Madigan continued.

Independent testing released today by the Genetically Engineered Food Alert coalition and member groups confirms the use of genetically engineered ingredients in Kraft products, including engineered corn and soy. The tests, commissioned by the coalition, determined that a variety of Kraft products including, Taco Bell taco shells, Boca Burgers, Snackwell's crackers, Lunchables, Tombstone Pizzas, Post Blueberry Morning Cereal, and Stove Top Stuffing contained genetically engineered ingredients.

"The results are in - and the tests indicate that Kraft continues to use genetically engineered ingredients in the foods that they sell to US consumers," said Madigan

Activists pointed to a lack of corporate responsibility on behalf of Kraft, indicating that this is not the first time that the company has dealt with controversy over their use of genetically engineered ingredients in their products. Consumer demand in Europe has forced Kraft Foods to provide products that are free of genetically engineered ingredients. The company has yet to offer such alternatives in the United States.

Genetically Engineered Food Alert also pointed to Kraft's second round of problems with the use of genetically engineered crops, this time in the United States. In September of 2000, through independent testing, Genetically Engineered Food Alert coalition discovered StarLink ™, a genetically engineered corn not approved for human consumption (because of concerns that it has characteristics of known allergens) in Taco Bell brand taco shells, a Kraft product. This finding resulted in Kraft recalling millions of boxes of taco shells and a switch by the company to white corn from yellow corn to avoid further StarLink™ contamination.

"Kraft Foods needs to listen to its customers when it comes to genetically engineered foods," said Lisa Archer, grassroots coordinator for Friends of the Earth, a member group of the Genetically Engineered Food Alert coalition. "The company is aware of the potential health and environmental risks of genetically engineered foods, yet they have chosen profits over precaution."

Consumer and environmental advocates representing Genetically Engineered Food Alert have requested a meeting with Kraft CEO Betsy Holden to discuss environmental and public health issues related to the use of genetically engineered ingredients in their products, but the request thus far has been denied.

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Communications by the coalition to Kraft Foods as well as test results may be found at: www.gefoodalert.org

Genetically Engineered Food Alert founding members include: Center for Food Safety, Friends of the Earth, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, National Environmental Trust, Organic Consumers Association, Pesticide Action Network North America, and the State Public Interest Research Groups.

Genetically Engineered Food Alert, a coalition of health, consumer and environmental groups, supports the removal of genetically engineered ingredients from grocery store shelves unless they are adequately safety tested and labeled. The campaign provides web-based opportunities for individuals to express concern about genetically engineered food and fact sheets on health, environmental and economic information about genetically engineered food. The campaign is endorsed by more than 250 scientists, religious leaders, doctors, chefs, environmental and health leaders, as well as farm groups.