New campaign to target US companies trying to block GMO labelling

Supporters of the mandatory labelling for food containing genetically modified ingredients have launched a campaign to discourage the food companies campaigning against it.

The ‘Conceal or Reveal’ campaign has been launched by Just Label It, a group of close to 700 corporations and non-profit groups including organic industry interests. The campaign will identify food companies that are blocking efforts to introduce mandatory GMO labelling.

Just Label It chairman Gary Hirshberg said: “Because of corporate lobbying, we now have a bill pending in Congress that would essentially permanently deny the public’s right to know whether food contains GMOs.

“These companies should stop concealing and start revealing how they grow our food and respect their customers’ desire to know and choose.”

One of the first companies to be targeted is PepsiCo because it is said to have contributed approximately $8.8m to anti-labelling campaigns. The company signed a letter this week for the members of Congress supporting the ‘Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015’ that will remove the rights of labelling from states.

Just Label It said it will go after PepsiCo’s Quaker Oats brand as the company is promoting the product as a healthy option.

Labelling of genetically modified organisms is a contentious subject. Various food-related companies have voluntarily announced removal of GMO ingredients from their products in response to growing awareness. This week itself, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc became the first major US restaurant chain to make that switch.

Opinion, though, is still divided on this. While various polls cite 92% Americans as being in favour of GMO labelling, opponents say that the move will lead to increase in prices and create confusion among consumers. They claim that GMOs are well-regulated and are no less safe or nutritious than foods made with non-GMO ingredients.

But Just Label It says it is the duty of the federal Food and Drug Administration to inform the public of processes or ingredients that alter or materially change food.

A total of 64 nations around the world, including the European Union, most of Asia, China and Russia, mandate compulsory labelling of GMO’s. Even most large US food producers comply with those requirements overseas.

Vermont has become the first US state with the mandatory GMO labelling law after a federal court ruling that will be effective from July 2016.