Last updated on April 1, 2019
It may seem like the GMO labeling fight is over.
Yes, we fought hard and long. I personally sat in countless meetings in Senators’ offices, trying to inform them on why it was imperative to vote for mandatory GMO labeling. I sweated countless elections and referendums nationwide, and endured the heartbreak. I was in Vermont for the fleeting – but sweet! -success of labeling passage. And now, in retrospect, it all seems preordained that we would lose this fight. Maybe not. Maybe we really gave Big Ag and Biotech a good scare after all.
But now I see Mike Pompeo, architect of the so-call GMO labeling bill – it effectively blocked states from labeling foods as containing GMOs – as director of the CIA, and Sonny Perdue, lord help us, as Secretary of Agriculture. I also see a $3M allocation to the FDA to educate Americans on the benefits of genetically engineered foods. Pretty soon schoolchildren will be coming home and telling their parents why biotechnology is the way of the future (“It’s already here!”) and how it is able to feed the world.
Or will they?
I am, and always have been, an optimistic advocate for this cause.
Organics, especially packaged and labeled organic food products, are enjoying stratospheric growth in the American marketplace. The Non-GMO Project Verified label is thriving and respected. The specialty food market, which emphasizes organic and non-GMO is outpacing non-specialty counterparts in nearly every category.Practically every new mother I know is all about organic and GMO-free for their kids. (@ChelseaClinton, @IvankaTrump…where are you on this issue??) This is in stark contrast to 2012 when I wrote my very first blog post and there was little to no awareness on the topic or the term.
I am proud of America for the fight, despite the lily-livered actions of our federal government (though big kudos to our elected officials who have stood up!).
People want to do the right thing, even if the federal government will not comply.Keep buying organic and GMO-free! The numbers are in our favor.
