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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOverwhelming Majority of Americans Say: 'Just Label It!'
New Consumers Report poll finds that 92 percent of respondents want the government to require labeling of genetically engineered foods.
- Lauren McCauley, staff writer
Ninety-two percent of Americans want the government to require GE foods to be labeled, according to the results of a new survey. (Photo: Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center/ Creative Commons)An overwhelming majority of Americans think that genetically engineered (GE) foods should be labeled before they are sold, according to a new Consumer Reports poll released on Monday.
The nationally-representative phone survey found that 92 percent of respondents think that GE foods, or those made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), should be labeled accordingly. Further, 92 percent also think that the government should legally require the labeling of GE salmonwhich may soon be approved and sold in storesdespite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently requires neither labeling nor pre-market safety assessments of GE food.
The survey, taken in April 2014, assessed the importance of various factors that consumers weigh when purchasing food. According to the results, 72 percent said it was important or very important to avoid genetically engineered ingredients when making purchases.
This poll underscores that, across the country, consumers want labeling of GE food, including GE salmon, and consider safety standards set by the government of such food imperative," said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union.[/n]
Growing public opposition to GE foods comes as numerous states have begun to surpass the FDA by passing their own labeling legislation.
Last month, Vermont became the first state to require the labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients. Similar legislation, which included "trigger clauses" that require a certain number of other states to also enact similar laws, passed in both Connecticut and Maine. Lawmakers in Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, and New York are also weighing labeling proposals.
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http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/06/09-7
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Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)Consumers need information in order to properly assess whether or not they're getting what they want out of a given transaction. Whether it's 'Made in the USA', 'GMO free', 'Kosher', or 'free range', when consumers overwhelmingly want to know what they're buying, they should be able to do so, even if it will shrink sales of products 'not made in the USA', 'GMO', 'non-Kosher', or 'factory farmed'. Especially in the information age.
Corruption Inc
(1,568 posts)At some point in time the criminal corporations will start labeling GMO and GE foods because they think it'll be more profitable although I doubt those labels will be reliable or checked for accuracy.
We're a totally corrupt country and until actual people start going to jail for their crimes, nothing will change and it will only get worse and worse.
central scrutinizer
(11,617 posts)except when it cuts into profits.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)PS: Sorry, KoKo! Couldn't resist...The fact there's even a GMO debate shows just who is in charge of the government.
:chuckles:
Oligarchs...ain't that the truth!
Octafish
(55,745 posts)...the corruption at the hightest level. He compared interviews he did with a pair of former presidents, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. Carter was in Detroit about a decade back to build some houses and took all the time needed to answer the questions he was asked. Ford flew in to his former home town of Grand Rapids on a corporate jet, courtesy of one of the agri-giants, and "spent" a few minutes doing the talking, then was whisked to wherever.