Consumer activists
united to demand labeling of Genetically Modified Foods
on March 26, 2011 all over the US, including here in Colorado Springs.
The idea spread like wildfire with other grassroots rallies in Colorado, California,
Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida and Oregon to coincide with the rally
in Washington DC.
The demands are simple:
1. We have the right to know and want genetically modified foods labeled.
2. We want factory farmed animal and genetically modified animal products labeled.
3. We want independent, transparent, long-term studies done on the safety of
GMO's for animals, plants and humans.
4. We want the organic industry protected from cross-contamination and law suits
to organic farmers.
The FDA currently considers GM foods "substantially equivalent" and therefore
doesn't require labeling.
There is a growing body of evidence that show:
• Health and environmental concerns.
• Corporate control of world food and seed supplies, and monopolization
through patents, government
lobbying and corporate interest over human interest in all levels of government.
• Monsanto is the leader in GM patents.
Rally Organizer, Trish Wright "We will not stop in our efforts to accomplish
our goals. If the FDA won't tell people, we will. Our freedom of choice is being
violated by the FDA not requiring these products to be labeled."
To date, the majority of commodity crops are genetically engineered. (Soy, corn,
canola, cotton). Many deregulated crops such as GE Alfalfa and GE Sugar Beet,
being planted in 2011, have the ability to destroy the organic industry.
As a citizen concerned about the health, environmental, ethical, and socio-economic
hazards of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and industrial-scale factory
farms or CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), I feel strongly that consumers
have an inalienable right to know whether the food we are purchasing likely
contains GM ingredients or comes from animals confined in CAFOs.
Up to 90% of U.S. soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, and sugar beets are now genetically
engineered and routinely inserted into human and animal foods with no labels
or safety testing.
Approximately 80% of current grocery food items contain GMOs; while according
to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, the majority of beef, pork, poultry,
dairy, and eggs come from CAFOs.
Considering the growing concern over GMOs and CAFOs, all food packaging should
clearly identify all non-organic ingredients containing soy, corn, cottonseed
oil, canola, sugar beets, alfalfa or GM growth hormones with a label or shelf
sign that says "May Contain GMOs" and identify all meat, dairy, and eggs that
come from CAFOs with a label or shelf sign that says "CAFO."
