Facebook/Karen R. Fraser status posted to Blogger

Dear Representative, I am writing today to urge you to vote NO on H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo to: 1) preempt states’ rights to label foods containing genetically modified ingredients, overturning laws in Vermont and Alaska, 2) eliminate local protections from genetic contamination, including the GMO-free zones that protect Oregon’s world-renowned seed growing regions and California’s largest alfalfa growing area, and 3) prevent the federal government from adopting the pre-market safety testing of genetically engineered foods that the American Medical Association (http://bit.ly/1RRbseQ) has demanded. In light of the recent findings by the World Health Organization that Monsanto's glyphosate is "probably" a human carcinogen, and a subsequent New York Times report that the EPA declared glyphosate a carcinogen in 1985, it is time to, at the very least, require food manufacturers to tell consumers if the food they buy contains GMOS. After all, glyphosate is the cornerstone of 99 percent (http://bit.ly/1RRbseR) of all GMO foods. (Please read this New York Times report http://nyti.ms/1SCkV4O) Contrary to Rep. Pompeo’s claims, consumers have plenty to be wary about when it comes to GMOs in our food. I urge you to read this statement, which was signed by more than 200 scientists and medical professionals outlining why there is no scientific consensus on the safety of GMOs: http://bit.ly/1RRbsv6 Eighty-eight percent http://bit.ly/1SCkY0p of voters favor “requiring labels for foods that have been genetically modified or contain genetically modified ingredients,” with more than 70 percent saying they are strongly in favor. Just 6 percent of the electorate opposes labels. GMO labels are costless. http://wapo.st/1RRbu6i Simply adding the wording would not drive up consumer costs. Companies regularly update their food packaging as they come up with new designs or marketing strategies. There have been no significant retail price increases in the 64 countries that have implemented GMO labeling requirements. Please take a stand against industry-supported legislation that would preempt state GMO labeling laws and instead, support the rights of consumers like myself to know if their food has been genetically engineered. Thank you. via Facebook/Karen R. Fraser | July 22, 2015 at 01:24PM