Genetically WHAT?!?

Right now there is a huge political battle going on in California, and no, I'm not talking about the Presidential election.  I'm talking about Proposition 37.  Heard of it?  I hadn't until this morning.  According to The Cornucopia Institute "Proposition 37, a citizen’s initiative on the ballot on November 6 in California, would mandate clear labeling of genetically engineered (GE) ingredients on food packages." 

What are genetically engineered ingredients?

According to Rob Endelman at The Delicious Truth (as noted from the Home Garden Seed Association) "Genetic Engineering describes the high-tech methods used in recent decades to incorporate genes directly into an organism. The only way scientists can transfer genes between organisms that are not sexually compatible is to use recombinant DNA techniques. The plants that result do not occur in nature; they are 'genetically engineered' by human intervention and manipulation."

One example of a GE food would be the long-lasting tomato.  Introduced to consumers in 1994, this tomato was created in a lab to contain less of the substances that cause tomatoes to rot, giving it a longer shelf life at the store.  While this may seem great, one of the greatest disadvantages to the long-lasting tomato was that it contained a gene that was resistant to antibiotics.  Meaning that if someone who unknowlingly consumed this tomato became sick it would be more difficult to treat that person with antibiotics to fight the illness. 

Wait, you mean food is not required to be labeled if they use GE foods?

Nope.  Companies are required to label their product if the plant processes peanuts or peanut products, milk and other allergens but not GE foods.  So you could be unknowingly consuming a food that might have an effect on your health later down the road. 

http://www.traditional-foods.com/

So Californians have stood up and said they want to know when GE products are used in their foods.  GREAT!  However, the most interesting part of this battle is the players that are opposing prop. 37.

You might recognize some of the companies on the left as companies that value the natural, healthy way of life: Kashi "7 whole grains on a mission," Naked, Larabar, Silk, Smuckers, Morning Star- just keep looking (I know it's hard to see but trust me). 

The one that caught my attention was Larabar.  I purchase this product and on the label it says "Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free Non-GMO, Vegan, Kosher." So if the label reads Non-GMO, yet the company does not want people to know that the foods they are consuming contain GE foods, what are they (or the corporation) hiding? 

It was interesting to learn that some of these "healthy" companies are also owned by larger corporations.  Kashi is a part of Kellogg, and according to The Cornucopia Institute, included GE ingredients in the "natural" cereals. Cascadian Farm and Larabar are owned by General Mills, Silk and Horizon Organics are owned by Dean and all oppose proposition 37. 

I hope that as November 6th approaches in California the people realize that this is an important decision.  Hopefully, "As California Goes, There Goes the Nation" and soon everyone will have the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want consume foods that have contain GE ingredients.  Now that I am aware of the situation I will not support any of the companies that oppose this movement and I encourage you to do the same.  If we stand together we can make a difference.  Vote Yes California!

http://www.traditional-foods.com/