Gucciardi writes: "Back in 2007 during his campaign tour, Obama addressed the serious issue of GMOs with a promise that he would immediately 'let folks know' whether or not they are consuming GMOs through proper labeling."



President Obama in the Oval Office, Oct. 31, 2011, signing an executive order directing the Food and Drug Administration to take steps to reduce drug shortages. Will he act on GMO labeling? (photo: Charles Dharapak/AP)

Will Obama Fulfill His 2007 Promise to Label GMOs?

By Anthony Gucciardi, Natural Society

ith the passing of election day 2012, massive awareness was spread throughout the country thanks to the California GMO labeling bill known as Proposition 37. While the bill did not pass through California legislation due to the many dirty tactics employed by the 'No on 37' campaign such as falsely using FDA backing and even sending out fake voting flyers, it has truly invigorated the discussion on proper GMO labeling. Labeling that was promised back in 2007 by the newly re-elected Barack Obama.

Back in 2007 during his campaign tour, Obama addressed the serious issue of GMOs with a promise that he would immediately 'let folks know' whether or not they are consuming GMOs through proper labeling. You can hear the statement yourself in the video below:

Now more than 5 years later, Obama has not addressed the issue of GMO labeling - at least not in the way you might think. Instead, Obama appointed the former Vice President of Monsanto Michael Taylor as a senior adviser to the FDA back in 2009. Taylor is currently a Deputy Commissioner for Foods for the FDA. These are the facts, and this is not a partisan issue. I am not a republican, nor am I a democrat. I am, however, against Monsanto and tumor-linked genetically modified organisms. I am also for the direct labeling of genetically modified foods, an initiative that was promised 5 years ago by Obama before he took office for the first time.

Meanwhile, concerned citizens around the country has been demanding GMO labeling through numerous outlets. Polls indicate that anywhere from 93-95% of United States citizens are in favor of labeling GMOs. After all, if the general public actually knew that most of what they are consuming contains GMOs they simply would no longer eat them. Ultimately, corporations using GMOs would go bankrupt if they did not phase them out. This is exactly what corporations do not want, which is why they have contributed over $50 million in fighting Prop 37's GMO labeling initiative.

It is essential that we continue to bring the issue of GMO labeling to the forefront of the political spectrum and demand that legislators honor the fundamental right to know what you are putting into your body. It is also essential that we highlight the promises made by Obama and others to initiate GMO labeling. This is not a partisan issue - it is a human one.