As a result, consumer activists have argued, such agreements may suppress safety documents for years.

"It's much more important than all the other things consumer activists worry about."

But they may not be the best solution, consumer activists said.

"They seem extremely sensitive to the concerns of consumer activists."

Mr. Nader grew up to be the most well-known consumer activist in the country.

As such, it is not using the techniques of agricultural biotechnology that have been criticized by some consumer activists and chefs.

The move against hormones, as a health hazard, originated with West German consumer activists.

But consumer activists, who have been critical of both the governor and the utilities, were less sanguine about the solution the two parties proposed.

But consumer activists are worried about what will qualify as a scientifically based rule.

The new regulation is the result of a compromise between consumer activists and business groups.