State Sends Initiative to Label Genetically Modified Foods to the Fall Ballot

The Washington State secretary of state’s office reports on its blog today that Initiative 522 is certified for the general election. If passed, the measure "would require most raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, seeds and seed stocks, if produced using genetic engineering as defined, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale," the state explains.

Who's against this? Who thinks we shouldn't slap on labels identifying food with genetically modified DNA? The food-processing lobby.

“This initiative, although well-meaning, hurts the small and medium sized food processors in our state,” Northwest Food Processors Association president Dave Zepponi said in statement last month. The group argues that by creating a labeling standard in Washington State that differs from the rest of the county, the initiative would belabor business, driving up food costs, reducing jobs, and hurting small businesses. The food processor lobby insists that if you want non-GMO food, you can avoid it "by buying organic."

This calls for a poll.

Do You Think Genetically Modified Foods Should Be Labeled? Totally, that shit's freaky and I want to avoid it.

Probably, but let's face it, you can't swing a cat in the grocery store without hitting a corn flake crossed with a perch.

Probably not, I'd rather not be reminded that Monsanto is America's cuisine overlord.

Absolutely not, the food-processing industry makes a compelling case that this is about saving small businesses and jobs, not defending a profit-hungry food-industrial complex that's hellbent on fusing wheat grains with spiders. Please Wait... View Results