No, it isn’t. And now these folks are headed to Washington DC.
The goal now is to first petition the FDA to change their stance on GMOs in general, and require labeling. If that doesn’t work, they plan on suing the FDA for not acting. And if that doesn’t work, the next step is to start putting pressure on the president.
The groups pushing for labeling (generally organic producers and environmental groups) are also planning ballot measures in Washington and Oregon.
Wonderful.
From Reuters:
“The failure on Tuesday of a California ballot initiative that would have mandated labeling of genetically modified foods is not a death knell for those seeking nationwide labeling, U.S. labeling proponents said.
President Barack Obama’s re-election could be a boost, as he is seen, in general terms, as being supportive of labeling. Still, efforts to force change at a federal level could face an uphill climb.
“The federal effort is a monumental task without a state victory somewhere,” said Michele Simon, a public health attorney from California.
New state labeling initiatives are planned for Washington state and Oregon. Beyond that, the action now shifts to Washington, D.C. and efforts to force change at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has primary regulatory oversight for food and food additives.
A citizen’s petition is pending with the agency demanding a re-examination of its policy against labeling of foods that contain genetically modified ingredients. More than one million people signed on, the most ever for a petition to the FDA, and backers say the effort has been aided by the publicity surrounding the California initiative.”
Keep reading here. But, beware, the article claims that there is new concerns in the scientific community about GMO safety. However, we know that is simply not true. Not one single credible scientific test has shown any negative side effects of GMOs. The scientific community has come out in support of GMOs and their safety.
It is so important to continue sharing with folks the truth about the safety of these products.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
