Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions Why should we support labeling GMOs? Some people agree with scientists who are concerned about the longterm health effects of GMOs, while others are not concerned. But almost everyone agrees we should have the right to know before we eat foods containing GMOs and certainly before we feed these foods to our families. What will happen if the Right to Know ballot initiative is passed? If passed, California s Right to Know initiative would allow California s consumers to make more informed choices by requiring that foods produced through genetic engineering sold in retail outlets (like grocery stores) be labeled. In addition to this disclosure, genetically engineered foods would be prohibited from being advertised as natural. Will Right to Know cost California taxpayers money? No, California s Right to Know ballot measure will not raise food prices. The measure simply requires that foods produced through genetic engineering must disclose this fact on food packaging or labels. Companies have 18 months to change their labels a time frame companies typically use to change their labels anyway so the measure is not intended to impose extra costs on food companies.

2 What does GMO stand for? GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. These are plant or meat products that have had their DNA artificially altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. These genetic alterations occur in a laboratory and are not found in nature. This technology is also called gene technology, recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering. If the Right to Know proposition passes, how long do food producers have to change their labels? If passed, the Right to Know proposition requires that food producers change their labels within 18 months. The measure is designed to be incorporated into routine labeling changes by the industry, since this 18 month window is typically within the amount of time food producers change their labels anyway. Who opposes the Right to Know ballot measure? Chemical and agribusiness corporations with a vested interest in producing GMOs have already spent millions of dollars lobbying the government to keep genetically engineered foods unlabeled, even though labeling these foods is standard in most of the industrialized world. The main opposition is Stop Costly Food Labeling, a front group backed by two trade groups based in Washington D.C. These groups are the Biotechnology Industry Organization and Grocery Manufacturers Association, who are funded by corporations like Monsanto, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Kraft and other large food manufacturers that routinely market genetically engineered foods as natural. How would the Right to Know measure benefit farmers? California s Right to Know is endorsed by farms and farmers groups such as the United Farm Workers, California Certified Organic Farmers, Lundberg Family Farms, Organic Valley, and Eden Foods. Although

3 the measure is designed foremost to protect consumers and not to take on corporate food producers, the Right to Know measure would require transparency from farms that use genetically engineered ingredients, and take away their ability to mislabel such foods as natural. Across the country, family farms are being forced out of the industry, unable to compete with large corporate farms. The measure can help uplift farmers committed to natural farming practices, by giving consumers information about which products are genetically engineered and which are truly natural. (Source: How would the Right to Know measure benefit consumers? California s Right to Know is backed by major consumer advocacy groups, such as Public Citizen, the Organic Consumers Association and the Consumer Federation of America. The Right to Know measure affords consumers a basic right the knowledge of the true content of the food they are buying for themselves and their families. By giving Californians the ability to make informed decisions about the products they purchase, passing this measure would give them the freedom to decide whether or not they want to purchase products that are genetically engineered. Who put California s Right to Know measure on the ballot? / How did the movement get started? California s Right to Know was inspired by a belief that consumers should be given the necessary tools to make informed food purchases. Thousands of volunteers took to the streets to gather signatures for this measure, many of them moms and grandmothers who are demanding to know what s in the food they eat and feed their families. Nearly one million Californians signed the petition to get this on the ballot for the election on November 6, 2012.

4 Are there any regulations currently in place to monitor GMO foods? What is the FDA currently doing to protect consumers from harmful GMOs? Many experts believe that current GMO testing standards are inadequate and that there is no way to be sure that GMOs are safe for human consumption. GMO safety testing is left in the hands of the very companies that use genetically engineered ingredients, rather than the FDA or another government agency. The lack of adequate safety testing and research is why requiring labels on genetically modified foods is so important. Where can I find out which food producers do or do not use GMOs in their products? The Center for Food Safety publishes a list of common genetically modified and non- genetically modified products that can serve as a helpful purchasing guide. However, until all genetically modified food products have labels, it will be impossible to be fully aware about the content of what you and your family are eating. Would the Right to Know initiative cause food prices to increase? Studies have shown that the Right to Know measure will not cause an increase in food prices. By adding just a few words to the food label at no extra cost to the food producer, Right to Know will enable Californians to be more informed consumers and be empowered to make better decisions about the food that they purchase. What percent of American voters support labels for genetically engineered foods? Polls have shown that 91% of voters nationwide support GMO labeling. 81% strongly favor a proposal that would require genetically modified foods to be identified on the label. The public clearly believes that they have the right to know what is in the food that they are eating.

5 How common are genetically engineered food products? Chances are, you are eating genetically engineered foods and you don t know it. Nearly 85% of US corn, 91% of soybeans, 88% of cotton, and 95% of sugar beets are genetically engineered. Reports have stated at up to 70% of processed food on the market contains genetically modified ingredients. With such a significant amount of genetically modified food currently available, it is key that customers are given the information to make informed choices about what products they buy. Where would the GMO label be found on the food product? Would it be easy to find? The GMO label would be found on either the front or the back of the food product in a place that would be easy for the consumer to locate. In cases of items such as fish or produce that are not pre-packaged, grocery stores would post that information next to the product. When can I vote on the Right to Know measure? You can vote for the Right to Know ballot measure during the November 6, 2012 election. For more information about registering to vote, please visit the California Secretary of State website. Can I trust foods labeled organic? Are these foods sometimes genetically engineered? USDA Certified Organic products do not contain genetically modified ingredients. However, products that are labeled natural or all-natural are not necessarily GMO-free. This is why the Right to Know measure is so important it would eliminate consumer confusion and allow Californians to clearly recognize which products truly that have not been genetically engineered. What countries currently require GMO labeling? More than 40 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, India, Russia, Japan, Spain and the UK, require genetically engineered foods to be labeled. The United States is one of the only developed nations that does not require food producers to make consumers aware of

6 genetically modified food. The goal of the Right to Know measure is to make California the first state to require such labeling with the hope that all other states in the US will follow in allowing this important information to be made freely available to consumers. How do I support labeling GMOs in my community? There are many ways to support GMO labeling in your community. The California Right to Know volunteer sign-up page gives you the opportunity to get involved with their grassroots campaign in a variety of ways including education and outreach, fundraising, and phone banking. You can even phone bank from your computer at home (contact us to learn more). You can also pledge to support the initiative or make a donation. If you own a business or are part of an organization, you can also endorse the California Right to Know ballot measure. What is it important for Californians to know if they are purchasing made through genetic engineering? Every California consumer should have the right to make an informed decision about the food they purchase for themselves and their families. Without GMO labeling, it is almost impossible to tell whether food has been genetically engineered. This widespread lack of information is what the Right to Know ballot measure aims to change.