Lisa Katic, Director of Scientific and Nutrition Policy for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, will be one of just 30 speakers addressing a major international conference on biotechnology taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland, February 28-March 1, 2000. GMA, the world's largest association of food, beverage, and consumer product companies, is the only manufacturing industry group invited to take part in the official panel discussions.

The conference is being sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development, an economic and social policy forum for industrialized nations. The conference will
examine the scientific and health aspects of genetically modified foods.

GMA's Katic, a register dietitian, will take part in a panel discussion focusing on regulatory
frameworks and consumer involvement in biotechnology issues. She will discuss in part the
benefits of a science-based regulatory structure that governs regulation of food biotechnology in
the United States.

Katic has represented GMA at meetings around the world as part of the International Council of
Grocery Manufacturer Associations. ICGMA is a recognized Non Governmental Organization
(NGO) at meetings of the World Trade Organization and Codex Alimentarius, the international
body that addresses global food standards.

GMA is the world's largest association of food, beverage and consumer product companies. With
U.S. sales of more than $450 billion, GMA members employ more than 2.5 million workers in all
50 states. The organization applies legal, scientific and political expertise from its member
companies to vital food, nutrition and public policy issues affecting the industry. Led by a board of
44 Chief Executive Officers, GMA speaks for food and consumer product manufacturers at the
state, federal and international levels on legislative and regulatory issues. The association also leads efforts to increase productivity, efficiency and growth in the food, beverage and consumer
products industry. 

Company news release
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