McDonald's May Soon Serve Genetically Engineered Fries

WASHINGTONNational consumer and environmental group Food & Water Watch isn't loving the idea of McDonald's serving genetically engineered French fries. The group launched a campaign earlier this week asking McDonald's to publically refuse to source the 'Innate'-brand genetically engineered (GE) potato that's now up for regulatory approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The GE potato developer, J.R. Simplot, currently provides McDonald's with most of the potatoes it uses in its fries. The giant fast-food chain controls 15% of the fast-food market and is the largest purchaser of potatoes in the United States. "McDonalds has built its reputation in part on its world famous French fries," said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. "We're asking consumers to tell them not to harm that reputation by sourcing untested, unlabeled and potentially unsafe genetically engineered potatoes for food that's heavily marketed to children."

In response, McDonald's USA told the Chicago Tribune, "food biotechnology is allowed and permitted in the U.S. by local and federal government regulatory bodies, including the FDA and USDA." Adding, "currently, our potato supply does not include genetically engineered potatoes."

McDonald's also recently had to defend itself from allegations that a customer ruined her singing voice after eating a chicken sandwich that contained glass. For more information visit the article Singer Claims In Lawsuit McDonald's Ruined Her Voice.