Both Colorado and Oregon voters will have to decide whether they want to require GMO labels on their food this fall. according to an article I found recently. Both bills would require labels on GMO grown foods {though, it will not require meat or milk from cows that have been fed GMO crops, gum, alcohol, or pet food to be labeled}.
At this point, I’m pretty sure basically everyone has heard of GMOs, and has an opinion on it one way or another–and that’s what I found super interesting about this debate. Each side has their own argument for and against the bill. Obviously, proponents of the bill feel consumers have a right to know what is in their food and how it is grown. One proponent said the debate isn’t about “whether GMOs are safe or they’re good for you or bad for you. But it is about a right to know what’s in our fod supply.” Opponents say that one, there is not enough evidence that GMOs are harmful, and two, because there is not enough evidence that they are harmful, it is inviting too much government regulation. One farmer who grows GMO sugar beets feels that labeling his sugar GMO would be misleading, as the end result sugar contains “‘no GE material in the sugar’ because there’s no DNA or protein left in the final sugar product.”
I’ll admit, I’m super curious to see how this one goes. I would love it if they labeled GMO grown food. Personally, when I am shopping, and see food labeled NON GMO, I am more likely to grab that product over another. So, that leads me to another question, if they can’t get GMO labels, would you like to see more NON GMO verified labels on your food? Would it make a difference in what you bought?
~Mavis
Chrystie says
It matters! Because those who care, often care not only about what they ingest, but about the growing of the gmo plants in the first place… about the instability of the dna of the gmo seeds,..about the possibility of contamination of heirloom and organic crops… about the abhorrent business practices of the primary companies involved…about the farmer suicides in India….about the right (and responsibility) to save seed…. about the damage monoculture does to our land and our environment….I could go on for miles. Geez, looking at this I sound like a tree hugger or something. I’m really not. I AM for common sense and thinking about the long term stability of our communities and our land over large profits of a few power-hungry companies.
Mikel says
I agree with the proponent for labeling that said consumers have a right to know what is in their food. Period. There’s an AWFULLY long list of man-made chemicals and processes that have been used in the food industry in the past that were considered harmless, then later were found to be toxic and/or carcinogenic, even. Many of us want only what we see, as naturally grown/raised as possible, and we have the right +++as the consumer!+++ to choose what we are purchasing.
As the daughter of a large-scale farmer, I understand GMO and the argument for it; but much of that argument lies in methods of “modern farming” that also rely HEAVILY on chemically-dependent crops (more bad news), and does not factor in more complex methods that CAN produce similar yields, and likely higher quality produce, using natural varieties and less chemicals: variety planting, natural pesticides and fertilizers, etc. GMOs create dependency on their crops and the manufacturer. GMO is NOT the same as hybridizing. GMOs have NOT been shown to reduce world hunger; in matter of fact, they are considered counterproductive for farmers in complex farming regions (the areas that suffer hunger/poverty most), because they CANNOT be resown or allowed to naturally acclimate to a region. And as to their disease and pest-resistance? Nature already has found ways. In some southern states, the pests were deterred for less than a few years before they became resistant to the GMO crop. Now they’re a superbug that the old natural deterrents no longer effect. It’s a dangerous pattern. For my vote, I’d rather the fields, insects, and crops around my home remain as natural as possible; not to mention the food that I ingest!!!
Chrystie says
BTW I don’t know if the laws have changed but I suspect they have not- I believe it is actually ILLEGAL to label something as GMO. Illegal to inform the public about their food? Oh my…
Pam says
I’ve learned the hard way that discussion on this topic is like discussing abortion or welfare. Everyone has an opinion and calm discussion quickly degrades to name calling………….:) But, IMO, knowing more about what’s in your food, how it’s grown, where it’s grown, etc., can’t be a bad thing. It’s been more than 10 years ago that the government made grocers label where fresh fruits and produce are grown. If I need to know the bananas I’m buying are from Chile, why shouldn’t I know whether my foods are GMO or not?
Mavis says
So true. Religion and politics are topics I avoid for that very reason!
Ru says
If a producer wants to be labeled ‘certified organic’ then they have to go through a detailed process to get there and the end result can end up being more expensive so the consumers that want organic food pay for that expense but they get what they want and everyone’s happy. If someone wants to buy non GE/GM then there should be a certification process for products that fit in the category and then they can be labeled as such. You shouldn’t force the entire public to pay for a labeling process on everything that isn’t going to be paid for by the subset of people who want it done and won’t even be buying it to compensate for the costs. The food companies that think they will benefit from such labeling are already using the process and it’s catching on. It’s simple. If you want to know what’s in your food or how it’s made, then buy the stuff that says so on the package and stop trying to force an opinion on everyone else. If producers lose money because they don’t have any customers then maybe they’ll be inclined to change their ways but it’s unrealistic to think that this ‘problem/non-problem’ is going to be resolved anytime soon.
PattyB says
I am for labeling GMO food. In a big way. I want to make the decision whether or not to buy a product. This fight “feels” like the same one against tobacco. I remember when there was a huge debate over the warning labels that smoking tobacco would cause cancer. Tobacco giants were against it, citizens were for it. We need to keep pushing. GMO products, like tobacco products, aren’t going away. But we all have the responsibility now to ingest a lethal carcinogen or not. We have the right to make a choice! Everyone above who commented are absolutely correct and I agree with them. I’m not sure is Christie is right about labeling GMO foods being illegal tho.
Cheryl says
I am in Colorado and just voted for the GMO labeling. The general consensus with those against this is that it will cost more money, seems to me that is the general reason to be against everything! Personally I have a right to know what is in the food I am buying as does everyone else. I have already been diagnosed with digestive issues, so something as simple as eating Splenda will cause huge issues…if I dont know the ingredients of the food I eat, then I am costing myself more money later in the doctor’s office.
For those that say GMO’s are not a bad thing and studies do not indicate an issue with whatever chemical is the culprit in my food…that’s what they said about Agent Orange and the chemicals used in the Gulf War and the asbestos in houses, not to mention the lead paint, the aspartame in soda and on and on. Just because an in depth study hasnt been done, doesnt mean the chemicals are not wreacking havoc in our bodies…it may be years down the road before we know the effects.
Sylvia says
Has anyone ever thought about the amount of allergies that we now have? When I was growing up, there were no allergies except maybe bee stings. Kids grew up eating peanut butter and never heard about allergies. Now since GMO’s we have allergies galore. Somewhere there is a connection.
Karen at A Glimpse Into My Reveries says
I absolutely want GMOs labeled! I voted for it in Washington and I vote for it every day in where I spend my food dollars! Given the choice of two similar food items, one labeled Certifed nonGMO and another not labeled, the certified one will be the one I buy very time!
My biggest problem with GMOs is the pesticides the plant itself manufactures, as well as the other toxins dumped onto them as well, cannot be good for us!
When I started removing processed foods from our diet, cooking organic foods from scratch, both my husband and I noticed we enjoyed favors more and were satisfied with less. It’s like our bodies were getting what they needed and stopped the cravings and binging impulses. So our organic food may cost more, but we are satisfied with less! I wasn’t expecting that!
I think the argument that labeling will drive up costs has been disproven by other countries. Companies change labels every year to add pink ribbons, why can’t they make a one time change to list GMO ingredients!?!
Traci says
Mavis, I am a vendor at a farmers market in Washington State. I sell hand made items not produce. But my space is between other farmers. Every week I hear numerous times people asking what gmo stands for. Many people really do not know or understand what is going on with their food supply. Thank you for opening this conversation up. There are 8 foods/plants that are genetically modified right now. Mostly important is corn, soy and canola. Simply put, that means they are able to withstand highly concentrated amounts of weed poisons being sprayed on the plants in the fields so they have ‘better’ growing conditions. Most countries around the world do not allow these in their country, just the US. This has been going on for years. These ingredients are in nearly every food product on the shelf. These foods/plants are grown on huge farms that are backed by the government. A huge amount of money is transferred from and then back to government employed people. Both elected and appointed. These are the same people who are paying out large sums of money to advertise for a vote in their favor. In every state. Some states have passed the yes to label, but have added a clause that they only will when other states jump on the band wagon. One state is being sued by the government by passing this law. (side note, I think that is something, the government suing the government). Please keep the conversation going, and encouraging people to think about their food. Nearly every processed food item has these gmo ingredients in them. It’s not the labeling these companies are worried about. it’s the cheep dividends they are worried about losing, and the lie is going to be exposed at some point to everyone. It is only a matter of time, well after a couple of generations have to deal with all the health problems that we already have. It is potentially too late for a whole generation of young adults/teens already. Time will tell, but I am not willing to take that chance, I don’t care how much money it cost. I don’t buy packaged foods or fast food anyway. Thanks again Mavis.
Talaena says
Yes, if they can’t get GMO labels I’d love to see more NON GMO labels, it absolutly sways my decision to buy a product. Whenever possible I buy non GMO verified products. If fact of it isn’t labeled with the non GMO label I generally assume it has GMO stuff in it, especially when I see anything corn.
And to a previous comment there is a process for verifying if a product is non GMO, check out http://www.nongmoproject.org for more info. I have no idea what the costs if any there are but I have read parts of the standard document and they seem to have their ducks in a row for requirements.
A curious thought, back in my mothers and grandmothers childhood there was never a question of GMO or organic labels or certifications…why?…because organic was the standard. It hardly seems fair to make a farmer pay extra to certify how he farms is organic. Especially small farmers who can’t afford to pay the fees. Organic should once again be the norm.
That being said, it is what it is and I am MORE THAN HAPPY to pay a little extra to get better quite food.
Talaena says
PS – The pic you use in this post is of the non GMO organic brown rice from costco, YUM! My whole family loves that stuff. My favorite way to eat it is with a little tamari sauce (tamari not soy because most soy in the US is GMO), butter (also organic from costco) and some brewers yeast (organic from my local bulk food store). Yummy!
Katlyn says
Why do we need to label food GMO? Can’t we just lable NON GMO? Speaking as someone who works in the grain/food industry I see the HUGE HUGE cost labeling will take and I also see that almost ALL the food we eat that contains grain/soy has some type of GMO.
kelliinkc says
I am definitely in favor of food labeling. Just as I want to read the list of ingredients in a product, I want to know where said product comes from and whether is has been genetically modified or not. I do not understand how it can cost more than a fraction of pennies to add three letters to a package. It is a one time cost. As someone pointed out above, companies add Pink Ribbons to packages every year for a Month and I have not noticed that that package costs more than one without the Pink Ribbon. It is just an argument from the company to give them yet another excuse to raise food prices.