Now, this petition is neither for nor against genetically modified foods (or GMOs), but rather, it is asking that the FDA define genetically modified foods such that it requires them to be noted on the nutrition and ingredient labels on food products. One of the purposes of the FDA is to safeguard public health by ensuring that consumers receive safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented food products. So, for example, if a consumer wants to write "low fat" on its product, then the product must meet specifications for being lower in fat. The Center for Food Safety, along with numerous petitioners (including Horizon Organics, Amy's Kitchen, Consumer Reports, The National Family Farm Coalition, and The National Organic Coalition, to name a few), have filed this petition as a coalition partner on behalf of the Just Label It! campaign. Polls currently show that 90% of Americans agree with labeling of genetically engineered foods.
With the FDA's requirement that food should be labeled unless "unadulterated," it makes perfect sense that genetically modified foods be given label requirements. Something unadulterated means that it is found in its natural form without something being added or taken away. But, when foods are genetically modified, genes are added or taken away. The food becomes adulterated. And for that very reason, it falls under then need for labeling and honest presentation.
From a personal standpoint, I would like to know if my foods have been genetically modified. After reading The Unhealthy Truth
by Robyn O'Brien, I've become concerned about genetically modified foods and whether or not my child should be consuming them. The biggest concern is when your child has allergies. While a link between GMOs and allergies has not been scientifically made, the rise in childhood food allergies has grown dramatically since their introduction in the 1990s. A relationship between changing a food at the genetic level and the human body's inability to recognize the food (thus creating the immune response of an allergic reaction) would make some sense. And while this has not been proven, it raises questions about GMOs. For more accurate information, I really recommend Robyn's book.Regardless of my concerns about GMOs, I still think that labeling is a must. We as a society should have the right to choose whether or not we want to consume these products and our purchases should inform companies about what we desire. This is a continuing problem with the FDA, considering they hire many former employees of Monsanto (and then, occasionally, Monsanto hires them back), a company pioneering the efforts of genetically engineered foods (oh, and so much more!). Companies that genetically engineer foods don't want consumers to be aware because they are afraid this awareness will make them not choose their products. The argument, as it was when Monsanto demanded that the FDA make it so that farmers who raised cows without bovine growth hormone could not label their milk rBGH free, is that it would imply that there was something wrong with the product and unfairly bias the consumer. Luckily, that labeling has now been allowed, but I find it enraging that a company would argue that lack of information makes for more fair purchasing practices.
As food becomes more complicated in society, the FDA needs to keep up with the changes. Only as recently as 2004 did the FDA require allergens to be labeled. The requirement was added after the Center for Science in the Public Interest submitted a petition similar to the Center for Food Safety's petition. Hopefully, this petition will do the same for GMOs. I hope you sign! If only just to stick it to Monsanto in anyway we can.
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