Senate Democrats-Republicans Bow to Monsanto, Crush Vermont Labeling Law
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/37636-focus-senate-democrats-republicans-bow-to-monsanto-crush-vermont-labeling-lawRepublicans and Democrats on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee have struck a deal that would create the first nationwide standard for foods containing genetically modified organisms.
Under the agreement, consumers may still have difficulty figuring out if the food they are buying is genetically modified because it wouldn’t mandate printing "GMO" on the exterior. Instead, the agreement would offer three options for disclosure: text on the packaging, a symbol, or an electronic link that would direct consumers to a website for more information.
In another concession to the biotech industry, the bill would tightly define genetic engineering in a way that doesn’t include new techniques such as gene editing.
Beef, pork, poultry and eggs wouldn’t be subject to labeling, though the deal would cover many other grocery staples including corn flakes and cooking oil.
Companies with a stake in the outcome include Monsanto Co, General Mills Inc., Campbell Soup Co., Kellogg Co., Conagra Foods Inc. and Mars Inc.
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> The people who really want the information will be able to get it, but the ones who want
> to use it to frighten the gullible and ignorant will not be able to.
... the people who want the information will not be able to get it without buying the
product or trying to do internet lookups from the aisle of the supermarket whereas the
ones who want to keep pulling the wool over the eyes of the gullible & ignorant will
continue to profit.
Seriously, they changed the requirement for a simple label to one that allows them
to provide "an electronic link that would direct consumers to a website" and you don't
see that as obstructive, evasive & downright dishonest?
Oh no! Those poor people!
If only there were some easy way to look things up online while you were in the store!
you don't see that as obstructive, evasive & downright dishonest?
Nope. Not even a little bit. I think it properly balances competing priorities. Those who care (for planning their own consumption) can easily get the information that they need - but can't use the government as a cudgel to recruit others to their own beliefs. Some clever app developer will quickly come up with a 99-cent option that lets you quickly scan your potential purchases and pop up a red/yellow/green stoplight. It could even be tweaked to allow you to set what you consider GMO to mean - so that you don't get false-positive hits.
