The FDA approved AquaBounty's GMO salmon this week, after months and years of contentious opposition from consumer advocate and food safety groups. This is the first genetically engineered animal to be sold for food in the United States. The problems with this product range from "lost" eggs and fish to violation of environmental regulations and missing permits. But this week the third largest retailer in the U.S., Costco Wholesale, announced that it will not sell the fish, according to Center for Food Safety. They join more than 60 other supermarket chains, including Kroger, Safeway, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods that will not sell the GMO salmon. Red Lobster last week also rejected the salmon. Walmart and Public are the largest retail chains that have not rejected the salmon. Dana … [Read more...]
Vermont Asks Court to Dismiss GMO Lawsuit
Vermont's attorney general has asked a federal district court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and other food industry groups over a new Vermont law that requires all food made with genetically modified organisms to be labeled as such. “The State’s motion makes the case that Vermont’s labeling law withstands all five challenges to its constitutionality made by Plaintiffs and that the Court should dismiss the suit without requiring the State to answer the Complaint or engage in further litigation,” said Attorney General Bill Sorrell. “While the Plaintiffs prefer not to disclose that their products are made with genetic engineering, over 90 percent of the general public supports labeling genetically engineered foods,” he added. The motion, filed … [Read more...]
Vermont’s GMO Law Prompt Lawsuit From Food Groups
Moments after Vermont Governor Peer Shumlin signed a law on May 8th requiring that all foods containing genetically modified ingredients sold in that state be labeled as such, the Grocery Manufacturing Association (GMA) said it would sue the state. And now it has. Yesterday, the GMA, the Snack Foods Association, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Association of Manufacturers filed suit in federal district court challenging the law which was the first of its kind. The law goes into effect July 1, 2016. After that date, violators face penalties and further action by the Attorney General’s Office. "Vermont’s mandatory GMO labeling law – Act 120 – is a costly and misguided measure that will set the nation on a path toward a 50-state patchwork of GMO labeling policies … [Read more...]
Whole Foods Takes Lead On GMO Labeling
Whole Foods Market has announced that by 2018 all products containing genetically modified ingredients must be labeled so if they are to be sold at its stores in the U.S. and Canada. It is the first American grocery store chain make such a requirement. “We are putting a stake in the ground on GMO labeling to support the consumer’s right to know,” Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, said in a statement. “The prevalence of GMOs in the U.S. paired with nonexistent mandatory labeling makes it very difficult for retailers to source non-GMO options and for consumers to choose non-GMO products. Accordingly, we are stepping up our support of certified organic agriculture, where GMOs are not allowed, and we are working together with our supplier partners to grow our non-GMO supply chain … [Read more...]
