WASHINGTON –New surveys show that citizens in six key states overwhelmingly support mandatory labeling for foods containing genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs.
The surveys were conducted in Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia in June by the Environmental Working Group and the Just Label It campaign, in conjunction with the Mellman Group.
The groups found that the majority of residents in each state favor requiring labels for foods that have been genetically modified or contain genetically modified ingredients.
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89 percent of Delaware residents
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83 percent of Indiana residents
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86 percent of Michigan residents
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84 percent of Minnesota residents
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79 percent of North Dakota residents
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86 percent of Virginia residents
“These survey results show that the people want more information about the foods they purchase and eat,” said Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs at EWG and executive director of Just Label It. “These states are by no means alone. A recent national survey showed that 90 percent of Americans favor GMO labeling. Consumers want to make their own food choices, and states have frequently led the way in facilitating consumer choice.”
The survey results come as the House of Representatives prepares this week to consider a bill that would not only restrict the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ability to develop a national GMO labeling system, but would also block states from establishing their own GMO labeling laws. The bill would also define the word “natural” to include food with GMO ingredients and stop states from passing laws to ease consumer confusion around “natural” claims.
“Americans have the right to know what’s in their food and how it was grown –the same as citizens of 64 other nations that require GMO labeling,” Faber said. “Americans want and deserve that same right. It’s time for members of Congress to listen to the voices of consumers across the country who want more transparency in the food system, rather bowing to big chemical companies.”
For more information on the Environmental Working Group, go to www.ewg.org. For more information on the Just Label It campaign, go to http://www.justlabelit.org/
