Genetically modified foods (GMO) are in nearly all processed foods in the USA. A food is genetically modified when DNA from a toxin such as an insecticide or another plant or animal is forcibly inserted into the DNA of a host plant. The host plant produces fruits or vegetables whose programming has been changed from its natural code causing toxic food harmful to health [1].
Vermont’s stunning law over GMO producers in May 2014 states that any food containing GMO must be labelled [2]. This law will come into full effect on 1st July 2016. Those not complying will be fined US$1,000 per day per product until it is correctly labelled.
Since the passing of this law, food companies and the United States Congress have fought campaigns for or against mandatory labelling of GMO. But with only days before the Vermont state law becomes effective, a number of food producers have begun labelling the GMO in their contents.
Campbell’s Soup Co. began the trend in January 2016, labelling both GMO content and when a food is GMO-free, bowing to its customers’ wishes [3]. Across the United States 90 per cent of people want genetically modified foods labelled [4]. Other major food companies are following Campbell’s Soup in labelling GMO: General Mills—America’s third largest food company, ConAgra Foods, Kellogg’s and Mars.
These companies combined have a large US market share and their action could be the beginning of the end for GMO manufacturers.
Sources:
[1] The harmful effects of GMO on health: https://www.naturalscience.org/publications/the-hidden-use-of-genetically-modified-organisms-and-their-impact-on-human-beings-animals-and-nature/
[2] Vermont’s GMO law: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/08/health/vermont-gmo-labeling/index.html
[3] Campbell Soup chooses to label GMO: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/01/08/campbell-label-gmo-ingredients-supports-gmo-disclosure-legislation/78497176/
[4] New York Times strong support for GMO labelling: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/science/strong-support-for-labeling-modified-foods.html?_r=3
