August 1, 2001
		EU May Allow Trace of GE in Food The European Union's head office, the European Commission, wants to put an end to the moratorium on genetically engineered ingredients and allow foods with trace amounts to escape labeling requirements. Though the moratorium has angered U.S. exporters and European bio-engineering companies, the proposal to allow trace levels was criticized by many consumer groups and politicians. According to a draft of the proposal seen by the Associated Press, the exact level of biotech is not yet determined, but may be "no higher than one percent." German Environment Minister Renate Kunast condemned the proposal Monday, asserting that zero tolerance of biotech-contaminated food was the safest choice for the food supply. European Union officials, however, contend that in today's highly mechanized food-processing industry, that would be an impossible goal. The process for the European Parliament approving the proposal will likely take a year or more. In other news, the Brazilian government passed a decree over the weekend that required the labeling of all foods containing four percent or more of genetically engineered ingredients, in the event that biotech food is ever allowed there.