Washington TEAbuggery has kept the focus away from several local races and measures that are worthy of note by the nation as a whole. One is in neighboring Washington State, where I-522 will require labeling on all food containing GMO’s. I am for it, because we have a right to know what we’re eating.
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Washington State’s I-522 would require foods that have been genetically modified, or GMOs, to be labeled as such for retail purposes in the state.
Following legal pressure from anti-GMO campaign groups such as Moms for Labeling and Yes on 1-522 and the Washington State Attorney General’s office, the pro-GMO trade group Grocery Manufacturers Association was forced to release a list of its high rolling donors who have financed the NO on I- 522 drive.
As was expected, major food corporations and GMO users such as PepsiCo, Nestle USA, The Coca-Cola Co. and General Mills, among many others, had secretly donated millions of dollars to the GMA campaign.
GMA spending made up $7 million of the $17 million dollar No on I-522 push.
A similar initiative in California, Proposition 37, lost on last year’s ballot due to a similar flood of campaign money from pro-GMO food companies.
The following is the ballot text:
Initiative Measure No. 522 concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods.
This measure would require most raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, and seeds and seed stocks, if produced using genetic engineering as defined, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale…. [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Common Dreams>
I certainly hope it passes!
As important as this issue is, it is only one of six key election day races/measures covered in the same article. Click through for the other five.
8 Responses to “Labeling GMOs in WA”
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Once again, it appears Big Ag and Big Money have won –
the piece I read said people didn't want the price of food to go up which it would have with labeling which is crap – labels get changed all the time. They just don't want us to know there are GMO's because then we could sue them when we end up sick.
However, it costs a bunch of money to defeat this bill and it's going to keep costing them a bunch of money because eventually, come hell or high water, there WILL be labeling of GMO's~
I can remember when detailed food labelling first came in – manufacturers were claiming the same utter balderdash then as they are now – it will not increase the price of a single thing – though I would bet they would use it as an excuse to put their sneaky prices and profits up!
Last year they didn't allow foreigners to contribute to the organic efforts in Cal right until the last minute – and they only just lost the vote – I hope this time they have learned their lesson – if big business can contribute with money earned from all over the world, why couldn't other people help out in the fight against GMOs till too late? America exports a lot, AND we care about our friends over there… let's hope the proposition wins – as you have GMOs in a lot of your food already, it must feel as if you are being experimented on! (Argh!). Terrifying!
Thank you to Moms for Labeling and Yes on 1-522 anti-GMO campaign groups.
All foods should be labelled in ALL states and in ALL countries. Aren't people entitled to know what they are consuming? Big Ag and Big Biz can go to hell for all I care. Cut into their humongous profits? Too damn bad!
I hope labelling of GMO's comes soon. We have a right to know what we are eating. Many of these GMO's have not been testing and no one knows what damage they may cause to our health. It seems we are always playing "catch up" in this country.
In Washington state, I expect the I-522, the GMO labelling initiative, will take a while. In thinking about some of the products I buy, many are already being labelled as GMO free. Of course, that is because they are and admittedly there is an advantage to the companies to do so. Wouldn't it be interesting if these products experienced up swings in sales while non labelled products experienced a loss in sales. That is the only way to move the discussion.
The 'no' side is throwing money at the issue in a typically more Republicanus/Teabagger style which does nothing but cloud the issue. I think to the 'taking personal responsibility' arguement that the Washington Weenies are always throwing out to people. So those supporting I-522 are standing up for taking responsibility for the quality of foods that they ingest. But likewise, the Washington Weenies also cry out for smaller government, less regulation. The 'no' side of I-522 certainly are taking on that fight. Either way the the decision goes, my guess is that some of the republicanus/Teabaggers will declare a victory any way it turns out.
I have a right to know what goes into my body. It has taken me 61 years to understand the importance of this. I may not be able to avoid GMOs in all cases, but I can do my damndest to avoid GMOs and I do.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show
Last night Raqchel Maddow had an excellent report of the money spent on I-522 and who spent it. Watch the clip if you care.
Corporate Cash Sways Voters is the title of the clip. for some reason it didn't embed correctly in my link.
Only $550.00 was contributed by people in Washington who didn't want labelling. If you buy any products from the companies who contributed against the bill who are eating and drinking GMO products.