Petition to Label GMOs Filed With the FDA

A legal petition has been filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The petition is calling for the FDA to label genetically engineered foods.

Genetically engineered (GE) foods, also referred to as genetically modified, or GMOs, are the foods that have been altered unnaturally, at the molecular level. One stark example is how the genes of the flounder fish have been mixed into tomatoes so that the tomato would be resistant to cold temperatures.

A large majority of the meat in the U.S. is raised on GMO feed, therefore causing the meat to contain GMOs. Also, the majority of processed foods contain GMOs. This is due to the fact that corn and soy are the two most prevalent genetically engineered crops and they are used in most processed foods and animal feeds.

Currently, the FDA does not require any package labeling of GMOs. Consumers have no choice when it comes to the ingredients in the foods they purchase; they may be feeding their family GMOs, there’s no way for them to know.

The practice of GMOs is still relatively new and studies lean both directions in regard to the safety and health of humans consuming GMOs. Regardless where the studies fall, this is more of an issue of rights than anything else. How can it be legal to forbid us from knowing what we’re putting into our bodies?

Labeling puts the choice in the consumer’s hands, not the government. Label requirements exist in many places around the world including Russia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and 15 European Union nations. However, citizens of “the land of the free” don’t get the opportunity to know what they’re eating currently.

A recent ABC poll gathered that 93 percent of the American public wants the feds to make the labeling of GMOs mandatory. The news network even stated that the near unanimous opinion is rare.

It is rare to see so many come together in agreement, that high percentage speaks volumes for how that public feels about this topic. Even if one chooses to pollute their body with highly processed fast food, the stark facts about fat and calories are posted on the restaurant wall. Why isn’t this the case for GMOs? We have a right to know what we’re eating.

Let your government hear you. Sign the petition and tell the FDA to “Just Label It!”

Read more: Food, Health, Diet & Nutrition, FDA, food labels, GMO

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lynn C.

7:27AM PDT on May 12, 2013

May 12
send a green star

Ram R.

11:04PM PST on Feb 5, 2013

Thanks

February 5
send a green star

Rudolf A.

3:23PM PST on Dec 22, 2012

We have every right to know what is in our food. What is the GMO lobby afraid of if they are so safe?

December 22
send a green star

Victoria U.

2:12AM PST on Nov 8, 2012

Anyway, if people care about this or not, they do have the right to know what`s in their food... we all have the right to information.

November 8
send a green star

Dale O.

2:16AM PDT on Sep 19, 2012

People around the world have the right to know if GMO foods are sold. There are some who don't worry about these things but they are in the minority. Monsanto hopes that within thirty years its tentacles will stretch everywhere and that naturally grown foods will be a thing of the past.

September 19
send a green star

Charli s.

12:54PM PDT on Sep 16, 2012

The problem is that the government doesn't give a crap that a majority of people want something. If they did the issue of abortion would be dead and every woman would have a clear cut right to do with her body as she wishes (a majority of Americans support a woman's right to choose), a majority of Americans want election reform, they want less money wasted...the problem is our government isn't fearful of us. I hope everyone here votes.