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'Frankenfood' Labels: 'We Have a Right to Know'

California leading the way with Proposition 37: Mark Bittman

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2012 2:52 PM CDT

(Newser) – Genetically engineered foods are labeled as such in America, right? Not so, and Californians will vote on a November proposition about it that's "unquestionably among the most important non-national votes this year," writes Mark Bittman in the New York Times' Opinionator blog. He trumpets Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) and stop companies from calling them—or any other processed foods—"natural."

"We have a right to know what’s in the food we eat and a right to know how it’s produced," writes Bittman. "This is true even if food containing or produced using GMO's were the greatest thing since crusty bread." Bittman notes that President Obama once promised to label GMO's, and "maybe a re-elected Obama could work on that." So far, California polls show 65% in favor and only 20% against Proposition 37, despite the tens of millions Big Food has spent trying to defeat it.

In this March 15, 2012 photo, a genetically engineered label is seen on a package of tortilla chips in Montpelier, Vt.
In this March 15, 2012 photo, a genetically engineered label is seen on a package of tortilla chips in Montpelier, Vt.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
This Oct. 2, 2002, file photo shows labeling stating no genetically engineered ingredients on a bag of Bearitos Tortilla Chips in San Francisco, Calif.
This Oct. 2, 2002, file photo shows labeling stating no genetically engineered ingredients on a bag of Bearitos Tortilla Chips in San Francisco, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
shopgirl1623
Sep 16, 2012 10:48 PM CDT
I'm in California, but as an American, and a resident of this planet we call earth, I have a right to know what is in my food!!!!  Heck yeah.  I need to know so that I can make a healthy choice of how to prolong and protect my one life.   I'm not a guinea pig for any company, period.  Go organic, grow your own vegetables.  I have grapes, garlic, artichoke, lettuce, watermelon, apples, onions, peas and strawberries growing in pots in my backyard.  Just add water.  Anyone can do it.  And I know what I feed my own plants.  It would be delightful if I could count on food manufactures/producers/growers to offer this same simple information.  We have a right to know.
FactsAreFacts
Sep 16, 2012 9:48 PM CDT
I have the right to know what is in the food. It is going in my body and it is my right to know so that I can make decisions based on what I WANT. It is my body, it is my money, it is m,y decision. If the people at the big multinational corporations don't care what they eat then fine, but I have the right to decide for myself. They don't want us to know because they know we don't want it done to our food. They are not modifying to produce more food, they are modifying for PROFIT, they want to patent all our food, they want even small farmers to have to pay to use their seeds.  They are greedy and they do not care about anything but money. I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN MY FOOD.
metalkiwis
Sep 16, 2012 8:09 PM CDT
I would like to see more truth in things being called "Natural" and such. I want to be able to choose the orange juice with the fewest steps between the tree and my mouth, but that is one misleading industry. 
 

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