Love GMOs? Then Label ‘Em!
A coalition called Right to Know Minnesota (RTK-MN) has organized a campaign supporting passage of a labeling bill to require foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to be labeled as such. This joins with over two dozen other state initiatives for GMO labeling and 64 countries that currently label. RTK-MN members include state representatives, farmers, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, food co-ops, chefs, the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, and a variety of environmental organizations. While there are varying views about GMOs among members, we all respectfully agree that they should be labeled.
According to recent national surveys done by Neilson, “GMO-free” is the fastest growing health and wellness claim among stores’ private labels, and a 2010 Thomson-Reuters poll found that over 90 percent of Americans want genetically modified foods to be labeled. With this kind of citizen support, Minnesota is well-positioned to become a national leader in the fight for transparency in food labeling.
Minnesota’s 2015 legislative session will include discussion of H.F. 3140 and S.F. 2865, bills that would mandate the labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients. These bills are sure to be controversial, as they pit the interests of consumers and health/environmental advocates against those of large-scale agribusiness and the biotechnology industry.
Stay informed about the latest on these bills by following Right to Know Minnesota on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for alerts here. Also, on the RTK-MN website: find a voter guide with information where about candidates stand on GMO labeling. See if your candidate(s) answered and what they said.
In support of this action, Seward Co-op is:
• A Right to Know Minnesota coalition member.
• A supporting retailer of the Non-GMO Project.
• A partner in the Just Label It campaign.
Seward Co-op’s product standards include a specific statement about prioritizing non-GMO-verified products.
At Seward Co-op: GMO Right to Know Event
Saturday, Oct. 18, noon–4 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, join us in recognizing GMO Right to Know Month by learning about the co-op’s relationship with the GMO labeling movement. Meet Right to Know Minnesota board member and Birchwood Café owner, Tracy Singleton, and sample Birchwood’s amazing, non-GMO-verified granola with Kalona organic yogurt. Also, say hello to local, small-scale producer Kadejan, while sampling their free-range chicken and learning about their effort to raise money to build an on-property mill to process non-GMO feed.