Hungry college students beware: Your Easy Mac may be eating you.

Members of the Penn State Alliance for Animal Rights want students to think twice before fulfilling their hunger needs with a cheesy serving of Easy Mac made by Kraft Foods.

Sporting protest signs, the organization gathered outside McLanahan's Downtown Market , 116 S. Allen St. last night to protest Kraft's use of Genetically Engineered Organisms (GMO) in its products.

The objective of the protest is to inform consumers about the products they are purchasing, said Laura Dininni, the group's advisor.

"Consumers may not be eating what they think," Dininni said. "They may be eating the genetics of another organism that has been modified."

Jennifer Polis (graduate-journalism), also added that clients are eating Bt corn that kills insects.

"The pesticides are not just on the food, they are in it," Dininni said. "The pesticides are part of the DNA."

GMO's have not been thoroughly tested by the government, Polis said. The long-term effects are unknown.

"We believe GMO's are unsafe. If the government insists on using them, they should be labeled."

Two hundred and ten people had allergic reactions after genetically modified corn not approved for human consumption was accidentally put in Taco Bell taco shells, Polis said.

McLanhan's is a community friendly business. This specific store was chosen because of its location and easily accessible from campus, Dininni said.

The protestors made it clear that they are not protesting against McLanahan's, said Scott Cranston, assistant manager.

"It's the American way," he said. "It's a peaceful protest. They have a right to tell people what they are thinking and we have no problem with that.

The protest was organized locally as part of a national day of protest against Kraft.

"Kraft Foods is owned by Phillip Morris. When people buy Kraft products they are giving their money to big business tobacco without realizing it," Polis said.

Post and Nabisco are among the brand names owned by Kraft foods.

More information can be found at www.gefoodalert.org.