Food industry worried about controversy around gene-altered crops.(Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO _ While the debate rages on about labeling genetically engineered foods, food makers are growing impatient with the biotechnology industry's progress on developing crops that have some nutritional or health value for consumers.

A General Mills Inc. executive, speaking on a biotech panel in Chicago Thursday, said food manufacturers receive no marketing advantage from the current technology, which helps farmers fight insects and weeds but offers little appeal to consumers.

Instead, food makers have had to deal with one controversy after another surrounding genetically engineered corn and soybeans. Environmental and consumer groups continue to express …