Since genetically engineered foods have been introduced to the
consumer industry, there have always been controversies whether or not foods
should be labeled as genetically modified or not. The FDA, food and drug
administration does not require the labeling of any GE foods, but that will
begin to change this November 6, 2012 all due to Californians and proposition
37. Residents of California not only created a proposition that all foods
genetically engineered should be labeled, but also received more than one
million signatures making it a national vote and recognized on the ballot for
the Obama administration. Although the intent is to begin labeling and
ingredient production in November, it could be stretched till 2013 due to unhappy
companies selling products under misconstrued names.
Particular
companies, such as Monsanto, have spent millions of dollars in an effort to defeat
this proposition. It will be illegal to claim GMOs and almost all processed
foods as “natural”, which includes corn and soybeans since most come from
genetically engineered seeds; genetically engineered foods do add vitamins and
have other advantages, but that does not mean it is natural. Big Food Mobile,
selling cheap processed foods, is among many other companies on the “worry sales
list” since labeled ingredients will make customers think twice before they
buy. Although companies will try to reformulate goods, prop 37 will allow
society to read how the majority of food is produced and understand the impact
of genetically manipulated goods on labels before buying. California has taken
a big step towards educated, healthier choices. According to food columnist
Mark Bittman in the New York Times,
“Prop 37 isn’t a ban on foods containing genetically engineered material; it’s
a right-to-know law… that has to change. We have a right to know what’s in the
food we eat and a right to know how it’s produced.”
Resources:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/15/g-m-o-s-lets-label-em/?ref=geneticallymodifiedfood
http://www.carighttoknow.org/
I think labeling genetically engineered food is a great step because people have the right to know what they are consuming. And labeling genetically engineered food will help obtain more information about its effects. If someone is consuming genetically engineered and have a reaction to it, they can now report it as an allergy to genetic engineered food. This information can be used to better understand the side effects of genetically engineered food. This can also help us better genetically engineered food, and come up with a safer solution to enhance food. In my opinion, if genetically engineered food is going to be sold then the people purchasing it have the right to know what they are putting inside their body.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with the new change that is occurring starting from November. Genetically Engineered food should be labeled, so that the general public is not being mislead. If the foods are labeled, one knows what the pros and cons are in the intake of genetically engineered food. Also, for those who are allergic to certain things will also be able to take precaution when they read that something is genetically engineered. The reason being for that is because maybe risks of genetically engineered foods is allergies. For those that do not wish to have genetically engineered food, then this is fair to them also because this way no one could be blamed for having genetically engineered food. The fact that genetically engineered food would be labeled, many people's life will be a little less complicated.
ReplyDeleteIt is really important that people need to know what they are consuming; the consumers would feel deceived if they figured out what they had eaten was genetically engineered food. Even in most of the restaurant, customers are informed of food ingredients for prevention of allergic reaction. I heard once in my life that some people died or got disabled due to some genetically engineered supplement. That incident already shows how seriously genetically engineered food can affect our lives. Conclusively, the labeling of any GE foods will allow us to have healthier lives.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting because it’s a recent issue that will have affects in the near future. I completely agree that people should know what they are eating and where these items have come from. However, with these changes, do you believe this will affect the companies that produce these products? I also believe that when someone sees something as “genetically engineered” they may think something is wrong with it just because of the label. Then most of the population will start buying only “natural” foods and this will be a problem for the companies that process the GE foods. Do you think people might stop buying these products that are genetically engineered because they will think this technique is going against their beliefs? Sometimes being ignorant is bliss; however, I do believe we have the right to know what we are eating. These changes may give birth to a whole new issue aiding to the science vs. nature concept.
ReplyDeleteI think its great that people will be able to have the knowledge about what is going into their food. What are some of the problems with GE foods though? Are they generally worse nutritionally than natural food? Regardless however, any person should be able to choose what they want to eat, and be informed whether it is processed, natural, organic or genetically modified.
ReplyDeleteI was confused and commented on the one above last week.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe that genetically engineered food should be labeled. Since we are still not sure if the genetic engineered food is safe or not, we need a right to know what we eat. In my opinion, this is same thing as labeling natural, organic food. If companies resist to label the genetically modified food, I, as a consumer, think it can mean that they are not confident with their product. They should label their food is genetically engineered.