Today's American consumers, concerned about the foods they eat, will take the time to review the nutritional information and ingredients listed on the label. They check carbs, fats, calories, sugars and fiber. Consumers believe that carefully reading the label of this and other foods gives them confidence that the foods they are eating are healthy. The reason is that government standards require companies to list everything that goes into the packaging and ensure that the ingredients are safe for human consumption. However, what would happen if food producers were unaware that the ingredients in their food products were not intended for human consumption? How can food producers be assured that they are producing a safe product? How can consumers really know what's in the food they're eating and whether it's safe? Even if American consumers prefer not to eat genetically modified (GMO) foods, there is a good chance they will (Jalonick). Genetically modified foods are plants that have been modified using DNA technology, using DNA molecules from different sources into a single molecule. In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the government agency responsible for overseeing food safety, gave Calgene Corporation approval to market its genetically modified Flavr Savr (Thayer) tomato. Since 1994, genetically modified crops have become the fastest adopted form of agriculture in modern history. Jalonick points out, “Last year, the USDA estimated that seventy percent of the nation's corn acreage was planted with herbicide-tolerant corn and sixty-three percent was planted with insect-resistant seed. The area cultivated with genetically modified soybeans and cotton is even higher. Although some consumer groups and scientific organizations claim that GMOs are middle of paper... anic industrial survey. Greenfield, Mass. 2011. Rees, Andy. Genetically Modified Foods: A Quick Guide for Confused People. London, Ann Arbor: Pluto Press. 2006. Print. Reinberg, Steven. “FDA Issues Final Rule for Genetically Modified Animals.” US News and World Report. Health Day. Internet. January 15, 2009. Thayer AM. "FDA gives green light to bioengineered tomatoes." Chemical & Eng News 1994 March 23. 72:7-8. United States Department of Agriculture. Biotechnology “History of non-compliance”. Animal and Plant Inspection Service. Internet. March 15, 2010. United States Food and Drug Administration. “Industry Guide: Food Labeling Guide” Appendix C: Health Claims: 2009. FDA Washington DC website. May 9, 2011 Welch, Laine. “FDA Still Considering Genetically Modified Salmon; names of seafood winners." Alaska Journal of Commerce. Internet. February 25 2011.