The fight to label GMO foods has arrived in Washington D.C. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced a bill Wednesday that would mandate labeling for foods that have been genetically engineered. If passed, the U.S. would join 64 other countries around the world that require labeling.
Tags: · Barbara Boxer, corn, federal law, GE foods, GMOs, labeling, Pete DeFazio, soy, sugar beets
Genetically modified foods are everywhere, having crept into processed foods as key components, such as corn oil, corn flour, high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, soy isolate, invert sugar and on down the food label. How can a consumer cope? Until GE foods are labeled, shoppers have to ferret out the non-GMO foods and ingredients.
Tags: · Agriculture, biotech, corn, engineered foods, GE foods, GMO foods, groceries, Non-GMO Project, Organic certification, Organics, packaged foods, soybeans, sugar beets
The GE-salmon known variously as the AquAdvantage salmon and a “frankenfish” has been swimming toward approval, but is currently bogged in a heated public comment period. Learn more about the tug-and-pull over what would be the first genetically modified animal to debut on your plate.
Tags: · AquAdvantage, Atlantic salmon, FDA, frankenfish, GE foods, genetic modification, GMOs, labeling, Pacific salmon, safety, Salmon
Despite opposition from farm and food groups, and a petition on SIgnOn.org, Congress passed the controversial Monsanto Protection Act on Thursday, freeing the giant biotech firm, and others like it, from annoying oversight by the USDA. Read about this window into how Washington works, for companies that are big enough.
Tags: · BarbaraKesslerBlog, Continuing Resolution, food safety, GE foods, GMO foods, Monsanto rider, Senate
The Food and Drug Administration appears to be within a few weeks of approving genetically modified (GM) salmon, despite a massive public outcry that the engineered fish could be unsafe and consumers do not want it.
Tags: · Aquabounty, FDA, food system, GE foods, genetically altered fish, GM safety, GM salmon, human health
On Nov. 6, California voters will say yea or nay to Proposition 37, which would require labeling for genetically modified or GM foods.
The issue, which became a ballot initiative after getting nearly a million petition signatures this past spring, appears to have wide popular support, according to polls. But it faces stiff opposition from pesticide makers like Monsanto, food companies, and dozens of California agricultural operations and business groups. Led by Monsanto, the opposition has collectively spent more than $34 million in advertising and public relations efforts opposing Prop. 37.
Tags: · bio-engineering, California Right to Know Campaign, food labels, GE foods, genetic modification, GM foods, GMO foods, No on 37 campaign
Prince Charles might seem like an unlikely champion for organic farming. But I’ll embrace reason wherever I find it.
During a recent talk at Georgetown University, the prince extolled the virtues of organic farming over conventional farming, because it doesn’t destroy the soil with chemicals. He pointed out that our current methods of blasting crops with chemicals are endangering our ability to continue to even grow crops; which doesn’t make sense ecologically or economically.
Here’s his quote from the Des Moines Register: “Capitalism ultimately depends on capital but our capital ultimately depends on the health of nature’s capital,” the prince said. “Whether we like it or not the two are inseparable.”
Tags: · BarbaraKesslerBlog, GE food, GE foods, Glyphosate, GM food, GM foods, greenrightnow.com, Monsanto, Monsanto evil, organic, Organic Farming, Organic Food, Organic Milk, Prince Charles, Roundup, soil contamination, soil enrichment
Organic farmers, food companies and advocacy groups have united to oppose the federal government’s de-regulation of Monsanto’s genetically engineered alfalfa.
A new 20-group coalition announced Tuesday that it also would be opposing the regulatory release of other types of GE (also known as GM or genetically modified) crops expected in the coming months if the USDA approves the unrestricted planting of GE sugar beets, corn and soy crops.
These crops have been engineered predominantly by Monsanto to resist specific Monsanto-created pesticides, including the “Roundup Ready” alfalfa, which was approved for unrestricted planting by the USDA last week.
Organic farmers fear the spread of GE crops because they’re dependent on pesticides, which harm the soil and waterways, and because they can contaminate non=GE crops via cross-pollination. When GE crops invade organically raised fields, they destroy the purity of organic row crops and produce and can cost a farmer his organic certification.
Tags: · alfalfa, Allergy Kids, beets, Beyond Pesticides, Center for Food Safety, contamination of organic crops, corn, Equal Exchange, Eric Schlosser, GE crops, GE foods, greenrightnow.com, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners, Maria Rodale, Michael Pollan, Monsanto, Monsanto chemicals, National Cooperative Grocers Association, NOFA, Non-GMO Project, Organic Farming, Organic Farming Research Association, Organic Seed Alliance, Organic Trade Association, Organic Valley, Robert Kenner, soybeans, Stonyfield Farm, United Natural Foods, USDA
Barbara Kessler
Andrew Winston
Danielle Nierenberg
Anthony Swift