Prop 37 – Label Gmo Foods. What's at Stake for You, California and Why You Should Learn More

RSS

November 6th Californians will vote on Prop 37, which if passed would require foods sold in the state that contain “GMO’s” (genetically modified organisms) to be labeled as such, and would prohibit marketing “such food as ‘natural’” by July 1, 2014. GMO’s are foods or animals that have had the genes of another species artificially forced into their DNA to introduce a new trait such as draught tolerance or insect repellant. Currently about 70% of the processed foods in America contain GMO’s. The bill is controversial and big money has lined up on both sides of the issue. It is important for both Californians and the world at large: California’s market is so large that if the labeling requirements change, most food manufacturers will change all of their packaging to comply with California.

Reasons to vote YES

Consumers have a right to know how their food is produced
There are good reasons (see below) to worry about GMO food’s effect on health
Byproducts from GMO’s damage the environment
Costs companies nothing to disclose whether products contain GMO’s

Official Proposition “YES” Site : http://www.carighttoknow.org/

Reasons to vote NO

Proposition full of special-interest loopholes and exemptions
Science regarding health impacts of GMO’s on people inconclusive
Could decrease the world’s food supply
Changes in legislation and increase in lawsuits would cost state upwards of $1 million/year
California’s 2011 Gross State Product was $1.9 Trillion (with a tee) 8th in the world
Could increase cost of groceries for households

Official Proposition “NO” Site: http://www.carighttoknow.org/

Good arguments FOR GMO labeling

New York Times – Michael Pollan Editorial Piece
Organic Authority – 8 Reasons GMOs are bad for you
CA Public Interest Research Group – Report on GMO Foods
Forbes.com – Monsanto & Dupont Spending Millions to Oppose GMO Law

Good arguments AGAINST GMO labeling

OC Register – Editorial
University of California Berkeley Professor – Opinion Piece
The Reporter.com – Opinion Piece

Neutral Resources

Ballotpedia.org – General information including donors and funding
VotersEdge.org – General information including donors and funding

Other Resources & Sites

Seeds of Deception – Website for the book which discusses the safety of genetically engineered foods
Vanishing of the Bees – Documentary discussing the link between Colony Collapse Disorder (CDD) and GMO foods and pesticides

- Joe Winke, Founder & Chief Snackologist

Joe Winke is the founder ofHealthy Surprise and struggles to resist food temptation, just like you. He created Healthy Surprise so he’d be surrounded by healthy food and wouldn’t have to drive around town to find Kale chips. Finding kale chips is no longer a problem for him.