Labeling foods containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients could mislead consumers, since there is no evidence indicating the technology is unsafe, biotechnology expert Peggy Lemaux said in an interview with NPR.

Peggy Lemaux, a cooperative extension specialist at the University of California in Berkley who manages an informational website on biotechnology, points out that if mandates on labeling are implemented, it may actually make it more difficult for consumers to make sense of products’ labels and determine what’s really in their food. Furthermore, mandates could extend so far as to forbid even some whole foods from being labeled as “natural.”

Lemaux agrees with the FDA’s 2009 assessment that foods produced using biotechnology do not need to be labeled. In her interview with NPR, she asserted that “This [labeling measure] is not going offer any additional safety to people; it’s really not a food safety issue because there’s no real evidence this stuff is unsafe.” Additionally, the article says, she expresses concern that the additional labels “may scare less savvy consumers away from affordable, healthful foods” that contain GM ingredients. Read more.