Label GMOs #CARighttoKnow

I’ve signed up to be an evangelist for the #CARighttoKnow campaign.  I feel like it’s really important for me to step up and do what I can to support a cause that’s close to my heart – FOOD!  I don’t know about you, but I like to know what I am putting in my body as well as my husband and kids’ bodies.

What is #CARighttoKnow about? 

• We All Have a Right to Know What’s in Our Food

Consumers have a right to know what’s in the food we eat and feed our children, including whether food is genetically engineered. We all should be able to make informed choices, and have the ability to choose whether to buy genetically engineered food or not.

• We Currently Eat Genetically Engineered Food, But We Don’t Know It

A genetically engineered (GE) food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration is not found in nature. Today, as much as 85% of corn in the U.S. is genetically engineered. This corn is found in countless processed foods such as cereals, baby foods, breads, chips, and many other products. Currently, the majority of GE crops are designed for one purpose: to withstand greater amount of pesticides.

Many of the processed foods we eat and feed our children contain genetically engineered ingredients, but we have no way of knowing which because these foods aren’t labeled.

• The Risk of Genetically Engineered Foods Is Unclear

Unlike the strict safety evaluations required for the approval of new drugs, the safety of genetically engineered foods for human consumption is not adequately tested. Studies show that genetically engineering food can create new, unintended toxicants and increase allergies, and other health problems. Experts around the world agree that by labeling genetically engineered food, we can help identify any adverse health reactions that these foods may cause.

• Much of the World Already Requires Labeling for Genetically Engineered Foods

50 countries with over 40% of the world’s population already label genetically engineered foods. Even China labels genetically engineered foods. California should be the leader on this important issue here in the United States.

What is genetically engineered food?

•  A genetically engineered food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration is not found in nature. Today, as much as 85% of corn and a majority of soy in the U.S. is genetically engineered to either produce its own pesticide or withstand increased amounts of weed killer pesticide. FDA is currently considering approving a GE salmon that has been altered with an eel gene to promote faster growth. Some of our most important staple food crops are being fundamentally altered, but without proper labeling, we have no way of knowing which ones.

If you would like to join the #CARighttoKnow campaign, you can do so by filling out this form.

For more information, you can read this brochure.

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**Full Disclosure:  I was not compensated in any way for this post.  I feel like people need to be educated, and that’s what I am attempting to do!  All thoughts and opinions are my own.