Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Label GMOs Initiative Filed, Will You Sign?
Genetically Modified Organisms via Shutterstock
By Gabriela Worrel / Special to LAist
Californians are one step closer to voting on a ballot initiative requiring labeling of genetically engineered foods. Last week, the coalition It's Our Right To Know filed a ballot initiative with the California Attorney General's office. Volunteers must collect at least 850,000 signatures by April 2012 in order to place the initiative on the November 2012 state ballot.
If successful, the initiative will allow voters to choose whether foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) should be labeled as such. Labeling food packaging would allow consumers to make informed decisions about the type of ingredients in the food they eat. GMOs are pervasive in the food system, and current state laws do not require labeling of GMO foods.
According to one of the initiative's sponsors, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), over 80% of Californians polled favor GMO labeling. The OCA asserts that the initiative has been carefully crafted to prevent costs on food consumers or producers. The initiative language will be posted on the Label GMOs website in the coming days.
Monsanto, an international leader well known in developing and selling seeds used in GMO crops, notes on its website that "Monsanto is dedicated to providing full transparency about our company."
Will the company also support transparency of its products in the marketplace? That much remains to be seen.
Check out our previous Label GMO 2012 Campaign coverage:
Is California Poised to Change the Nation's Food Landscape?
Hidden in Our Food: GMOs & Your Right to Know
Exercise Democracy at The World Food Day Rally
Mary's Gone Crackers & Speaks Out Against GMOs
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
