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IFB opposes Illinois’ proposed labeling law
Earlier this month State Senator Dave Koehler of Peoria proposed a new law that to require companies to notify consumers when their products contain genetically modified organisms. Koehler, chair of Illinois’ Senate Agriculture Committee says the food we eat has a profound impact on our health and that “people deserve to know what they’re eating”.
Illinois Farm Bureau opposes the proposed legislation because they feel labeling any foods containing GMO ingredients would create a negative perception of biotechnology crops.
Koehler says the legislation isn’t about saying GMO’s are good or bad – it is “just about labeling” and compares disclosing GMOs the same as labeling products that contain dairy of nuts.
The legislation was held in the Subcommittee on Food Labeling in the Senate Agriculture Committee and has been held in the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee. Hearings are anticipated this summer.
Tags: gmo, Illinois, state government
“they feel labeling any foods containing GMO ingredients would create a negative perception of biotechnology crops”
Weird argument, that.
And they miss the point.
The point is not that consumers distrust GMO foods (a number of reasons why come to mind)
The point is, they don’t want consumers to have a choice to know which food products contain GMO.
Because … because …. THEY MIGHT NOT BUY IT.
Therefore, they will spend millions of dollars lobbying legislators to take that choice away from consumers. Doesn’t speak well for confidence in their own GMO-laden product, does it?
The consumer sees this as bullying tactics.
When in doubt …. buy organic.
Several supermarket chains are already turning down GMO salmon.
And there are Millions against Monsanto. (The “negative perception” contingent).
It’s a done deal anyway. GMO food products are not going to be labeled any time soon.
Sad, but unfortunately, true.