Consumers Union, the public policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports has estimated the cost of labeling GE foods and has released a report based on a literature review. They state that the median cost incurred by producers and retailers will be $2.30 per person per year; less than a penny a day. Labeling foods … Read more
The USDA announced last week that experimental genetically modified (GMO), or engineered (GE), wheat was found at a Montana research facility that hasn’t grown the crop since 2003. Center for Food Safety says this finding demonstrates that “coexistence” between GE crops and non-GE crops is a failed policy. At the same time they announced this … Read more
The USDA has approved new GE corn and soy, which environmental and food safety advocates say will mean the release of millions of pounds of more pesticides into the environment. Center for Food Safety has condemned this decision to fully deregulate Dow Chemical’s Enlist corn and soybeans. Those crops are engineered to withstand “repeated spraying … Read more
U.S. District Court Judge Barry M. Kurren has struck down the Kaua’i county law against genetically modified (GM) crops, saying it is preempted by Hawaiian state law. The order forbids county officials from implementing and enforcing Ordinance 960, which required more disclosure from huge biotech companies about pesticide use and GMO farming. The Ordinance also required buffer … Read more
The United States Department of Agriculture this week announced the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for corn and soybean plants resistant to 2,4-D. And Food & Water Watch said, “history will repeat itself.” Dow’s corn and soybean plants, known as “Enlist” varieties, are genetically engineered to be resistant to two herbicides: 2,4-D, an ingredient in … Read more
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) will sue the state of Vermont over its new GMO labeling law. The announcement of the lawsuit came yesterday right after Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law a bill requiring that all foods sold in the state that contain genetically engineered ingredients be labeled as such. The law is … Read more
According to the Center for Food Safety, a twenty-person Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR) has conducted a review of the Jackson County ballot initiative to ban genetically engineered (GE) crops from the county. The findings of that review concluded that “farms in Jackson County are at ‘serious risk’ of contamination by GE crops.” This contamination can … Read more
Food & Water Watch is criticizing the FDA for weakening the public process on approval of GMO animals. The agency is disbanding the Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee (VMAC), which peer reviews FDA’s risk analysis of genetically modified animals. The scientists on that committee were very critical of AquaBounty’s GMO salmon, telling the FDA there was … Read more
A new study conducted at Arctic University of Norway and published in the June issue of Food Chemistry has found that there are “extreme levels” of Roundup, an herbicide, in genetically engineered soy. The soybeans were harvested in Iowa. High levels of Roundup were found on 70% of the GE soy plants. The Roundup Ready … Read more
The Vermont House voted to accept the Senate version of the GE labeling bill last week. Governor Shumlin is expected to sign the bill. All foods for sale in Vermont that are made with GE or GMO ingredients will have to carry a label effective July 1, 2016. The Center for Food Safety’s executive director … Read more