WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2012 - A new coalition, focused
on the right to know whether or not foods are genetically engineered, today denounced
the millions of dollars poured into anti-Prop 37 efforts by major
corporations. The group argues that the corporate campaign, financed by
agribusiness, food and chemical giants such as Monsanto, Dupont, Dow, Coca Cola
and Kellogg’s, was designed to misinform and deceive the public about the cost
of labeling. “Corporations may have misled voters in California
about GMOs, but they can’t change the fact that over 90 percent of Americans
support the labeling of foods with genetically engineered ingredients,” said
Alisa Gravitz, CEO of Green America. “The GMO Inside campaign will make it
possible for all Americans to find GMOs in the food products in their homes and
communities, label them, and switch to non-GMO foods instead. The
campaign will show corporations that people will not complacently serve as lab
rats for the testing of genetically engineered foods.” "We are disappointed but not deterred by this
defeat," said John W. Roulac, CEO and founder of Nutiva—world's leading
organic superfood brand. "GMO Inside was created to catapult the energy
from the fight for Prop 37 to the next level. Our goal is to bring greater
awareness to consumers nationwide about the dangers of GMOs and educate on what
they can do to make a change." The GMO Inside campaign hopes to provide Americans
with actions they can take in their homes, grocery stores, and communities to
call attention to genetically engineered foods. Click here to learn more about the GMO Inside campaign. Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Director
of Food and Agriculture Communications Karen Batra had this response: “It’s hard to tell from the news release and
website what this campaign will actually DO. Consumers already have many food choices and can select the
products they prefer. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration policy is that
foods should be labeled in a way that is useful to consumers, by listing
information on matters such as nutrient content, chemical composition and potential
allergenicity or toxicity concerns.
Labeling is required to be truthful and not misleading. Proposed labeling schemes like Prop 37
are meant to scare consumers rather than inform them. This new campaign seems
to be in the same vein.” #30 For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.