Proposition 37 On November Ballot

I try to stay away from politics in my blog, although I am very interested in politics and am up to date on most issues.  However, I have started seeing ads against Prop 37, so after doing some research, feel compelled to give you the information so that you can make an informed decision.  If you know me at all, you know which side of this issue I am on, but just in case you haven't figured me out yet, I will vote "YES" on Proposition 37.  Here is the information on the issue.  You decide.

The question is, should labeling be required on foods containing genetically modified ingredients (whether raw or processed, plant or animal) in California?

The situation is as follows.  Between 40% and 70% of the foods currently for sale in California contain some genetically modified (GM) ingredients.  Genetic modification changes the organism's genome, or hereditary information, in order to produce some desired change in characteristics, like resistance to to pesticides.  No existing law regulates genetically engineered foods or requires food producers to identify foods produced through genetic engineering.

Prop 37 would change state law to require specific kinds of disclosure regarding GM foods.  It would require the labeling to raw or processed food offered for sale to consumers if it is made wholly or partially from plants or animals with altered genetic material.  Foods sold in restaurants, and foods from which animals have been fed GM food would be exempt. 

The fiscal effect is unknown, but those against the proposal say it would raise administrative costs.  A yes vote means you want your food labeled, a no vote means GM foods would continue to be sold without specific labeling. 

So who's for it and who's against it?  You can probably guess.  The small business owners, the organic farmers, the manufacturers who produce "natural" food items are all for it.  Close to $4million in advertising money has come from small companies like Annies, Amy's, Udi's and E Cliff.  On the NO side of the issue is the corporate agribusinesses.  They have donated over $32 million to defeat the proposition.  Monsanto, Kellogg, and Conagra all want to defeat this, even though they own companies like Kashi (Kellogg) and Silk (Dean Food), that we think of as organic and healthy.

Most people feel that whatever California does on this issue will set the standard for the nation.  If this law is defeated, it will have difficulty getting traction anywhere else.  If it passes, it will soon become a national standard.  When I was at the Natural Food Show several months ago, GMO was the buzzword of the convention.  Many organic products are already labeled "No GMO", but  a law requiring this would inform consumers of exactly what they were getting.

Remember how long it took for labels to include fat, carbs, fiber and calories?  That debate went on for years, and I think most of us are happy to have it.  My feeling is that Prop 37 will give consumers more information about what they are buying so that they know what they're getting.