GMO salmon approval turns up heat in US labelling battle

Chicago

A BATTLE over whether the US government should require special labels for genetically modified foods is set to heat up after a type of salmon on Thursday became the first biotech animal approved for human consumption.

Activists who argue that the farm-raised salmon poses risks to the environment and public health say its clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will galvanise opponents to press for the fish to be labelled as genetically engineered.

Friends of the Earth and other environmental groups plan to send letters to the FDA and members of Congress calling for a law that requires labels. The groups have already successfully lobbied major companies like Kroger Co and Safeway Ltd to say they will ban G…