Fighting to label Frankenfoods
RECENTLY, SEN. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) proposed a federal bill that would mandate the Food and Drug Administration to label genetically modified foods.
The "Genetically Engineered Food Right-To-Know Act" gained bipartisan support from nine co-sponsors in the Senate and 22 in the House. Among those include Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young from Alaska.
Sen. Boxer previously tried to pass a similar bill in 2000 that was struck down. The senator's website says that 90 percent of people surveyed in the U.S. are in support of genetically engineered (GE) labels. Activists believe the momentum spurred from California's failed Prop 37 "CA Right to Know" raised consciousness about GMOs despite losing due to Big Ag's $46 million ad campaigns.
The current legislation would require food manufacturers to label products with ingredients manufactured or grown from genetically engineered seeds. The FDA would have to create a new labeling system consistent to U.S. labeling and international standards.
Similar to nutrition fact and ingredient labels, the required labels would say, "Genetically Engineered," followed by: "United States government notice: This product contains genetically engineered material, or was produced with a genetically engineered material."
These labels would be more inclusive than the Prop 37 bill that gave exemptions to GE seafood. Labels would be required for all processed foods including poultry, meats and fish. The bill gives exemptions, however, to drugs and prepared meals at restaurants.
Voluntary labels of non-GMO food would be permitted. Such campaigns like the Non-GMO Project, lists products ranging from baby food to frozen packaged foods that are verified as non-GMO from farmers and manufacturers.
Campaigns to label GMOs like "Label It Yourself," allow consumers to print their own labels and stick them to products in grocery stores to raise awareness about GMOs. Consumers target companies including Kellogg, Hershey, Prego, etc. Labels have QR codes for smart phones and say, "Warning may contain GMOs" or "Genetically Engineered." Label It Yourself considers the labeling a form of civil disobedience due to the legalities of being caught.
Activists not interested in risking arrest may print labels from GMO Inside that asserts labeling items is completely legal. The organization encourages users to share food they have labeled with friends as well as putting photos on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
In addition to labeling GMOs, small farmers would be protected from lawsuits in cases in which Monsanto, and other "Big Ag" companies sue famers over patented genes that have cross-contaminated their crops. Cross-pollination occurs from wind and other environmental factors.
Organizations that support the "Genetically Engineered Food Right-To-Know Act" include the Center for Food Safety, National Cooperative Grocers Association and more. Representatives may be urged to support the bill here.
Kim Sloan, from the Internet
