Target has joined the list of retailers pledging to keep genetically engineered (GE) salmon out of their stores if the GE fish is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA will likely not requie labeling of genetically engineered salmon, if it’s approved, leaving consumers with no way of knowing if the fish they are buying is natural engineered. During the comment period on GE salmon, more than 1.5 million people submitted comments to the FDA opposing the approval of what would be the first-ever GE animal approved for human consumption.
To help consumers, a coalition of 30 groups including Friends of the Earth, the Center for Food Safety, Food & Water Watch, and Consumers Union; have asked grocery stores, seafood restaurants, chefs, and seafood companies to join the Pledge for GE-Free Seafood. By joining, these companies agree to publicly commit to not knowingly purchase or sell genetically engineered salmon or other genetically engineered seafood.
Dozens of retailers with thousands of stores nationwide have committed to this pledge. They include, Aldi, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Hy-Vee, Meijer, H-E-B. So far, Target’s pledge is specific to GE salmon.
“We applaud Target and all these retailers for listening to the vast majority of their customers who want sustainable seafood for their families,” said Eric Hoffman food & technology policy campaigner with Friends of the Earth in a statement. “We need to see more big retailers take this kind of initiative. We’re hoping that Safeway, which has become a real leader in seafood sustainability in other ways, and other major grocery stores turn the corner here and pledge to stay away from genetically engineered salmon.”
Why in the world are they not requiring Genetically Engineered on the Labels as everything else is required to be???