Department of Agriculture’s Misleading Label

The proposed new GMO misleading label (Photo – USDA, Pixabay).

In case you missed it, the Department of Agriculture redesigned their logo for GMO (genetically modified organism) products. Instead of using common terms such as GMO or GE (genetically engineered), the Dept. of Ag proposed a new term, BE (bioengineered), and coupled it with a cheerful sunflower design.

By Robin Southworth

By using an unfamiliar term, a suspicious person might think they’re trying to hide something. Like a genetically modified organism. Like food that can make you ill.

The Department of Agriculture has released a proposed rule to implement the mandatory GMO disclosure law passed in July 2016, but it’s far from the strong, consumer-friendly disclosure environmentalists have been fighting for.

The images aren’t the thing about the USDA’s proposed GMO labeling rules. The agency may end up excluding 70 percent of GMO foods from labeling requirements by creating a loophole for sugars and oils derived from GMO crops. With all the sugars and oil in processed foods, critics fear a scary picture.

Big Ag
unfairly
targeting
the elderly
and the poor

This proposed rule is setting the stage for Big Food to exploit loopholes to keep hiding GMO ingredients from consumers.

Big Ag is also unfairly targeting the elderly and the poor by advocating for electronic disclosures that can only be scanned with a smartphone. The USDA is ready to leave the 20 million Americans without adequate cell service in the dark by allowing Big Food companies to use these confusing electronic disclosures.

The USDA’s comment period for these rules closes on July 3. This may be your last chance to advocate for clear GMO labels.

Another way to help is to add your name to Just Label It petition and help them reach 30,000 signatures urging the USDA to create a clear GMO disclosure standard!