Jared Polis, Democratic Representative from Boulder, Colorado announced on February 20th a bill he is introducing to mandate the labeling of food containing GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in all 50 states.
He’s leading the charge demanded by the people.
Polis says he’s proud to take on this initiative because it’s all about the consumer. Food Safety News online quotes Polis - “It’s important to empower people with information they need to make their own healthy choices,” he said. “People have the right to make consumer decisions based on accurate transparency in labeling, and knowledge is power.”
Indeed. Consumers need to know what is in their food, not only for basic health reasons, but especially in the case of GMOs that have already failed lab testing by causing the growth of tumors in lab rats. (Monsanto corn-fed rats developed tumors, died early)
Food companies who refuse to label their ingredients and disclose the usage of GMOs come across as not only hiding something important to public health, but also as uncaring of any damage their products might cause because it all comes down to the bottom line for these businesses – money. It’s revenue over safety.
This bill is supported by both Mark Retzloff of Alfalfa Markets (the original organic market on Pearl Street in Boulder), and Jack Mackey, owner of Whole Foods Market chain. This measure is picking up momentum after GMO labeling (Prop 37) in California (one of the most progressive states) was defeated after extreme opposition and lobbying by the food industry (ConAgra Foods, Nestle, Hershey, Mars, Campbell’s Soup Company, Godiva, Del Monte, Cargill, Coca Cola, Hormell, Smuckers, Kellogg’s, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, and more) who do not want you, the consumer, to know they use GMOs.
Washington State, Iowa, and New Mexico are trying or have tried recently to get a similar bill presented for a vote. Maryland will have a public hearing next Tuesday, the 26th for their House Bill (HB) 0903.
Just like the necessity to know caloric, salt, sugar, and preservative content, consumers need to know about GMO content. Informed people make informed decisions. If they choose to eat GMO laced foods, then it should be their decision by choice, and not by a legally-created default from food industry giants who can out-lobby the public demand for transparency.
Contact your state representative and tell him or her you support labeling of GMOs in your food.
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M. Gwynn has authored two books, Harvest and The Cat Who Wanted to be a Reindeer on Amazon.com . Ms. Gwynn also writes for National Animal Rights and San Antonio Sex & Relationships for Examiner.com. She contributes to Open Salon on Salon.com and FE Magazine NY.
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