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