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GMO Food Products Should
NOT be Labeled Mary Theresa Muldoon
April 10, 2013
Overview • About 20 years ago we started
eating GE foods
• Today public debate continues on the issue of mandatory labeling of GE products. – California General Election: Prop
37
• On the Nov. 6, 2012 Ballot
• Mandatory Labeling of GMO’s
• Would increase “annual state costs from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $1 million to regulate the labeling of genetically engineered foods.
• Did not pass
Images From: http://www.indyinasia.com/2012/10/prop-37-
countdown-how-much-confusion-can-32-million-buy/,
http://www.carighttoknow.org/assets/pages/1818/Prop_37_res
ults.png
State Total
Yes No
48.6% 51.4%
Overview Continued
– Whole Foods • Announced in March 2013: Full GMO Transparency by 2018
• Pointless and Potentially Damaging
• In this Presentation – FDA and AMA Views
– Implications of GMO Labeling • Definition of GM?
• Inferior product?
• Big Cost
– Options for non-GMO consumers
Image From:
http://philadelphia.foobooz.com/f
iles/2012/04/wholefoodsLogo1.jp
g
FDA
• In 1992, FDA declared:
– No Mandatory Labeling of GE Food
• No “basis for concluding” that GE food is different
than other foods
• No “different or greater safety concern”
– If product is nutritionally different or
contains an allergen, the name must
reflect difference!
Image From:
http://journal.livingfood.us/wp-
content/uploads/2009/08/fdachinesefood
1.jpg?w=300
American Medical Association
(AMA)
• Supports the FDA’s “science-based
approach” to labeling GE products
• “Mandatory labeling of foods would involve
significant costs”
Image from: http://www.transworldsystems.com/cmss_files/imagelibrary/AMA%20Logo%20for%20website.jpg
Implications of Labeling GMO
Products
• Labels stating “GM-Free” or “Non-GMO”
– Can be misleading
• Implies that GM Product is Inferior or Dangerous
– Even if customers do not know what GM is
• Sellers may label “GMO-Free” when there is
currently NO similar GM version
– Ex. Wheat
Images from: http://eatprayfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/non_gmo_label.jpg, http://images1.friendseat.com/2013/03/Labels-on-Bags-of-Snack.jpg
Implications of Labeling GMO
Products
• The Definition of Genetically Modified
– Genetically Engineered?
– Mutagenesis?
– Artificial Selection?
– All of the Above?
– If GM=GE, A manufacturer still needs to prove product is COMPLETELY GM free
• Verification Processes – Difficult for processed products
http://api.ning.com/files/JOi7zGa2fuyB99rIk5ExmLb6N41bicgcfdaqprtoe79PToxvCZZn41iCkEY
vaYeYRPUJcETNNdWLiPzv5pPFfzvzPY9cqBKU/canola.jpg
Verification Processes
• Content based
– Test for physical presence of foreign DNA or foreign
proteins
– Different tests for different genes
– Some tests not available yet
– More tests=More $$
• Processed-based
– Detailed record keeping
• Seed source, field location, harvest, transport, and storage
• Identity preservation
Unnecessary Labeling = Big Cost!
• NOT Just the Cost of “Paper and Ink”
• The need for segregation and verification adds additional costs at every label…a snowball of costs which will eventually reach the consumer.
– AMA estimates Mandatory labeling would Increase annual household grocery bill by $140-$200 per year!
Images from:
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/farmer-john-cornfield.jpg, http://growingon.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/elevator2.jpg,http://modernbrand.co.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2013/02/suppliers.jpg,http://www.landtrans.net/images/shipper-trans.png,http://www.bizinformer.com/wp-
content/uploads/19052208.jpg,http://images.idiva.com/media/content/2011/Mar/know_your_consumer_rights.jpg
Unnecessary Labeling = Big Cost! Labeling would pressure food
companies into 1 of 2 scenarios
Information Taken From:
The Genetically Engineered Foods Mandatory Labeling Initiative,
2012
– Scenario 1: Substitution
with organic products
• Limited supply, increased
cost, segregation costs
– Scenario 2: Substitution
with certified non-GE
ingredients
• Some hard to find in US,
segregation costs, increased
pesticide use
Estimated Costs
per
California Household
Scenario 1: Substitution with
organic products
$401
($267 - $535)
Scenario 2: Substitution with
certified non-GE
$348
($123 - $572)
Study run by: Northbridge Environmental Management
Consultants
Already the option of Certified
Organic
• Certified Organic already signifies 100% non-GMO product
– In the definition of organic: • “……Genetic engineering may not be used”
Why waste money for double labels?
http://www.bamboosa.com//assets/USDAlogo.jpg
In Conclusion
GM Products Should Not Be Labeled
– FDA and AMA agree • GM product = Non-GM product
– Jeopardizes the integrality of GM products • Dangerous? Inferior?
– It is pointless • Certified Organic products already available
– $$$$$ It is costly $$$$$$
References
• Beecher, Cookson. "Whole Foods to Require Labeling of GMO Foods." Food Safety News. N.p., 15 Mar. 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.
• Byrne, P. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods." Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods. Colorado State University, Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Apr. 2013.
• Action of the AMA House of Delegates 2012 Annual Meeting: Council on Science and Public Health Report 2 Recommendations Adopted as Amended, and Remainder of Report filed. http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/csaph/a12-csaph2-bioengineeredfoods.pdf
• FDA’s Guidance for Industry Voluntary Labeling Indicating Whether Foods Have or Have Not Been Developed Using Bioengineering Draft Guidance. http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm059098.htm
• Monsanto. "News & Views: Labeling Food and Ingredients Developed from GM Seed." Monsanto. Monsanto, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013
• Statement of Vote November 6, 2012, General Election: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-general/sov-complete.pdf
• The Genetically Engineered Foods Mandatory Labeling Initiative:http://www.noprop37.com/files/Prop.-37-Will-Raise-Grocery-Bills-400-Annually.pdf
• California Secretary of State. "California General Election." Proposition 37. California Secretary of State, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013
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