Tell the USDA: We need clear labels on GMO foods!

The USDA is trying to allow the biotechnology industry to hide genetically engineered food behind a ridiculous label that includes a smiley face and a sun. And it wants to label these products “BE” -- for “bioengineered” -- instead of the widely understood “GMO.”

By avoiding real GMO labeling, the USDA is helping Big Ag and the biotech industry protect their profits instead of protecting our food system. We have to fight back.

Comments

Dear Secretary Perdue,

As a person who eats food and a member of Friends of the Earth, I ask that the USDA consider the following comments in its efforts to create meaningful, consumer-friendly, mandatory GMO labeling standards.

Polls consistently show that roughly 90% of Americans want to know whether the foods they purchase are produced using genetic engineering, through clear, on-package labeling disclosures. It is critical that the USDA’s regulations and implementation of the GMO labeling law accurately reflect the intent of Congress when it passed the law, be consistent with international standards, and provide easy access to this information to all people.

USDA must require on-package labeling that names products as “GMO,” “GE” or “genetically engineered.” These are terms that the public recognizes and companies already use, not terms that the public won’t recognize like “BE” or “bioengineered.” While the law includes potential options other than on-package labeling, such as QR codes and websites, only on-package labeling provides easy access to this information to all consumers. According to Pew Research Center, only 50 percent of low-income people in the U.S. own a smartphone; only 52 percent of rural Americans own a smartphone; and only 27 percent of seniors own a smartphone. USDA’s own 2017 study reinforced these findings and found that owning a smart phone does not guarantee consistent access to the internet. The use of QR codes for GMO disclosure will deprive a large percentage of the public of their right to know if they are eating GMOs.

The labeling law should ensure that ALL foods produced through genetic engineering are labeled, including highly refined genetically engineered sugars and oils and processed corn and soy ingredients, even if they are so highly processed that the genetically engineered ingredients are present only at undetectable levels in the final product -- they are still genetically engineered foods. The regulations must cover any genetically engineered foods made with newer forms of genetic engineering and gene editing, such as CRISPR and RNA interference (RNAi).

Finally, USDA must require labeling in a timely fashion. USDA must meet its deadline of proposed and then final rules by July 29, 2018. USDA should require manufacturers to implement these labeling regulations as quickly as possible after they become effective.

Thank you for your consideration,

First name

Last name

Email address

Zip Code

Alerts about ways you can take action

Friends of the Earth Action Activists

By submitting this form, you are signing up to receive updates and alerts from Friends of the Earth and Friends of the Earth Action. You may unsubscribe at any time.