The Dark Act Threatens GMO Right-to-Know

You may remember a proposition on the last California election ballot regarding GMO.  Those for the proposition were trying to make mandatory, labeling of genetically modified organisms in food.  It was defeated, due to the corporate giants in agriculture that don't want you to know what you're eating

Ben and Jerry's, the ice cream company, have a web site that always has interesting, thought provoking topics.  Earlier this year they discussed H.R.442, a bill GMO right to know activists are calling the Dark Act.  This act went nowhere in the last Congress, but Mike Pompeo of Kansas, is preparing to reintroduce another bill just like the it this year.  His bill would deny every state in the country the ability to pass GMO labeling laws.  This is lobbyist-drafted legislation that would undo years of work that went into passing GMO labeling laws in Vermont, Connecticut and Maine.  More importantly, it would obstruct the efforts of grassroots movements in dozens of states that are seeking to give citizens the right to know what's in their food.

What's happening across the country is that states are stepping forward to peel back the layers of secrecy that agribusiness and the grocery lobbies would like to maintain by keeping GMO foods unlabeled. Early this year eight states introduced bills that would require the disclosure of GMO's.  As with many issues in American politics, a few powerful corporation with deep pockets are in control.  This does not seem to be a political issue at all, as polls show Republicans and Democrats  supporting GMO labeling equally.

Whether or not you want to buy GMO is not really the issue.  The issue is that there should be accountability in the food industry.  Consumers should know what they're buying and make their own choice.  I don't necessarily want to buy everything organic, but I do feel that labeling produce gives the public the facts, and they can buy what they want.  Let's not let deep pockets by corporations influence Congress.  Bipartisan work in states from coast to coast says our voices can be heard.  If you feel strongly that we have a right to know what's in our food and how it was grown, let someone know.  Call your congressman and tell him/her.  We lost the fight in California last time, but I'm sure it will be on the ballot soon again.