"If you put a label on genetically engineered food you might as well put a skull and crossbones on it." - Norman Braksick, president of Asgrow Seed Co., a subsidiary of Monsanto, quoted in the Kansas City Star, March 7, 1994
Monsanto and Food Inc.'s stranglehold over the nation's food and farming system is about to be challenged in a food fight that will largely determine the future of American agriculture. A growing corps of organic food and health activists in California - supported by consumers and farmers across the nation - are boldly standing up to Monsanto and its minions, taking the first steps to expose the widespread contamination of non-organic grocery store foods with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and moving to implement mandatory GMO labeling through a grassroots-powered Citizens Ballot Initiative process.
This month, lawyers representing a broad and unprecedented health, environmental, and consumer coalition, including the Organic Consumers Association, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, Center for Food Safety, Mercola.com, Nature's Path, Natural News.com, LabelGMOs.org, Food Democracy Now, and the Institute for Responsible Technology, are filing papers with the California Attorney General's office to place a Citizens Initiative on the Ballot in November 2012 that would require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods and food ingredients. If California voters pass this ballot initiative in 2012, it will likely be the beginning of the end for Monsanto and genetically engineered food in the U.S.
According to Zuri Star, a Southern California field organizer for the Organic Consumers Association, "The California Ballot Initiative is perhaps our last chance to stop the Biotech Express, to overthrow Biotechnology's dictatorial regime and build a safe and sustainable food and farming system based upon the ethical principles of consumer choice and BioDemocracy."
My cynicism makes me want to agree with GardenDmpls --- but --- I've read many times that 60% or more would not buy GM food IF they knew it was Genetically modified.
I hope they are correct and that GardenDmpls and my cynical side is wrong.
This thing going on in California is the greatest hope we have of having GM food labeled. The thinking is that since they (the manufacturers) would have to change the label for California --- they will change it for the entire country -- (money for the change being the bottom line).
The items that would be labeled would be basically those containing soy or corn, the two modified vegetables that are marketed, usually as additives- corn syrup and soy oil. That would be just about everything sold in the grocery store.
Abigail, all 9 kids grown and 14 little gardeners: what a harvest!
Posts: 2829 | Location: Far Rockaway, New York | Registered: July 17, 2002
Originally posted by GardenDmpls: The items that would be labeled would be basically those containing soy or corn, the two modified vegetables that are marketed, usually as additives- corn syrup and soy oil. That would be just about everything sold in the grocery store.
Yes it would! And maybe, just maybe it would make more people aware of what the big corporations are shoving down our throats!
it is just baffling to me that the gov't allows this in the first place. From frankenfood to the absurb lawsuits over pollen blowing into neighboring farms......common sense says that Monsanto users should be held responsible for their pollen infecting other plots.
Not to hijack this thread, but isn't there a lawsuit out there that turns the tables on Monsanto in that it is seeking damages for the contamination of non-GMO crops by their genetic filth(IMHO)?
Posts: 106 | Location: NW Chicago burb | Registered: August 20, 2009
Originally posted by b_kind2animals: Not to hijack this thread, but isn't there a lawsuit out there that turns the tables on Monsanto in that it is seeking damages for the contamination of non-GMO crops by their genetic filth(IMHO)?
Yes there is. I'd have to search for a link & I'm too tired tonight but it is on going.
That's why I'm trying to raise my own vegetables. I can do it with help from everyody else on our "organic gardening forum". Thanks! . Most of our foods are contaminated in one way or another ? There's 6 or 7 billion people in this world ? This is one way of getting rid of people, in our world ? . I mulch most of my weeds, leaves, tree branches etc. I try not to raise poisonous plants, like oleandar, etc. Yes we can individually, raise our own vegetables. And enable our healthy diets. . Good Luck Everybody, and Thanks, bill in socal
Originally posted by GardenDmpls: The items that would be labeled would be basically those containing soy or corn, the two modified vegetables that are marketed, usually as additives- corn syrup and soy oil. That would be just about everything sold in the grocery store.
True a large amount of processed products contain those two which are from GMO plants so it must be very difficult to avoid it in the diet. But not impossible to make those things without it as there's almost as much processed food in Europe without it. I have started to see labels saying no Fructose corn syrup on fairly mainstream products which i suspect is a sly way of saying no GMO contents. Also have noticed the odd ad on TV paid for by the corn council or whatever that fructose corn syrup is fine so they must be getting a little worried.
The signature gatherers are out in force at the local farmers markets.
Posts: 181 | Location: Riverside, Southern California zone 9b, sunset 19 | Registered: October 07, 2010
Just a little added info. We had an editorial in our local paper today asking consumers to help get the labeling laws passed. So everyone needs to speak up & be heard! It is already law in several countries.
I think that many people seeing the GMO label on 80% of all foods out there will simply decide that since it has not hurt them so far, why change? I also think that the cost of labeled, non-GMO food may significantly increase. But I do advocate labeling.
Posts: 798 | Location: Zone 5 Central US | Registered: November 09, 2007
