Food Safety

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved rennet, the first biotechnologically produced enzyme approved for use in food. Much animal biotechnology research focuses on producing transgenic livestock and poultry that will utilize feed more efficiently, grow to desired slaughter weights at an earlier age, and is resistant to a variety of diseases. Farmers stand to benefit from reduced production costs, improved efficiencies, and higher quality products. Consumers will benefit because farmers will be able to supply leaner meat and poultry produced with a decreased dependence on vaccines, drugs and insecticides. In addition, consumers may see reduced prices at the grocery store, since farmers will produce animals of the same weight as is currently produced, but in a shorter period of time with lower production costs.