Thread: Monsanto shells out $4.2 million to sabotage California GMO labeling initiative

Monsanto shells out $4.2 million to sabotage California GMO labeling initiative
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 by: Ethan A. Huff, staff writer

(NaturalNews) California has the unique opportunity to be the first state in the union to require that genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) be properly identified and labeled on most food items. But the Monsanto Company, one of the biggest purveyors of GMOs, and several other factory food and agriculture corporations are trying to sabotage this effort by contributing millions of dollars to defeat a ballot proposition that would require mandatory GMO labeling.

If passed, Proposition 37, known as the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act, will require that all foods made with or containing GMOs, including both raw and processed foods, be labeled as such when sold at the retail level. Products made with or containing GMOs will also be prohibited from being marketed and sold as "natural," a highly-deceptive practice that has become quite common today. ('Natural' breakfast cereals loaded with pesticides and GMOs - explosive new scorecard from Cornucopia reveals all)

Though not perfect, Prop. 37 represents a large step forward towards honest food labeling, which has been severely lacking in the U.S. since GMOs first came onto the scene back in the early 1990s. If Californians successfully pass Prop. 37 in November, much of the rest of the U.S. will likely follow in its footsteps in the coming months and years, which has the potential to unhinge the corporate monopoly that currently controls the American food supply.

But as grassroots efforts try to promote better transparency in labeling, companies like Monsanto, Dupont, Pepsico and others are simultaneously working hard to keep Americans in the dark about the foods they eat. Monsanto recently forked over a whopping $4.2 million dollars to defeat Prop. 37, while Dupont contributed more than $1.2 million against it. Dow Agrosciences, Pepsico, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Bayer Cropscience, ConAgra, BASF, the Kellogg's Company, Hershey's, Hormel and many other industrial food and chemical producers have also donated millions to defeat Prop. 37.

You can view a list of the top 20 largest contributors trying to defeat Prop. 37 here:
http://www.carighttoknow.org

You can also learn more about Prop. 37 here: http://www.carighttoknow.org

And here: Prop. 37: Requires labeling of food products made from genetically modified organisms. | Voter's Edge

"The giant pesticide and food companies are afraid of the mothers and grandmothers who want the right to know what's in our food," said Stacy Malkan, Media Director of California's Right to Know initiative, which is pushing for the passage of Prop. 37. "These companies will try to buy the election, but it won't work. California moms and dads will prevail over Monsanto and Dupont."

Meanwhile, the little guys, at least little in comparison to the Big Ag and Big Chem conglomerates, are continuing to get the word out about the merits of Prop. 37, and the general importance of transparency and honesty in food labeling.

You can view a list of some of the top donors in support of Prop. 37 here:
Prop. 37: Requires labeling of food products made from genetically modified organisms. | Voter's Edge

The Cornucopia Institute (CI) has also created a telling infographic of so-called "healthy" food brands that oppose Prop. 37 and mandatory GMO labeling. Some of the names on this graphic may surprise you: Breaking News: Corporations Stab Organic Consumers in the Back — Familiar Brands Funding Attack and Consumers Right to GMO Labeling | Cornucopia Institute

Nearly 50 other countries, including China, Russia, and all the countries in the European Union (EU), currently label GMOs. The U.S. and Canada are among the only developed nations in the world that do not require honest food labeling. The passage of Prop. 37 on November 6; however, could change this.

To learn more, visit: Yes on Prop 37 - California Right To Know Campaign

Sources for this article include:

http://www.carighttoknow.org



Monsanto shells out $4.2 million to sabotage California GMO labeling initiative
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