The action would benefit companies such as Trans Ova Genetics of Sioux Center, which cloned bulls and other livestock to provide farmers with copies of animals with superior traits.

But some consumer advocates are opposed to allowing the food on the market, and food producers are concerned about how shoppers will react.

A draft risk assessment developed by the administration cites scientific studies showing that "meat and milk from cattle clones and their offspring are as safe as that from conventionally bred animals," Stephen Sundlof, chief of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in a statement issued Tuesday.

That document and a proposed risk management plan are being reviewed by other government agencies, including the Agriculture Department, and should be released by the end of the year, the statement said.

The FDA has no prohibitions against sale of the products but has asked companies to voluntarily keep such food off the market while it evaluates the safety.

Cloning an animal produces an exact copy of the parent. A bull could be cloned, for example, that is more likely to produce calves that would yield high-quality beef.

Source: Des Moines Register