Supporters of Proposition 37 may have lost the battle in California on Election Day—but many of them still feel encouraged by the more than 4 million voters who supported the initiative. The measure would have required that most genetically modified food be labeled as such in the state. The initiative lost by 6 percentage points.
The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT), a source of GMO health information, calls the Prop 37 campaign—as well as the 19 other state legislatures that considered similar GMO labeling bills—as “signs of a coming tipping point” of consumer awareness.
“I believe people will be looking back 5 to 10 years from now and point to Proposition 37 as the critical moment in the right to know movement’s history,” says Max Goldberg, an organic food advocate and creator of LivingMaxwell.com. “This vote completely galvanized consumers around the country, and never before has there been as much awareness about GMOs. Make no mistake about it, GMO labeling will happen. It is not a matter of if, but when. Sixty-one other countries around the world currently require GMOs to be labeled, and the US will eventually be added to this list.”
Want to build on the momentum to get GMO foods labeled? Here are 5 easy actions you can take today:
- Join the IRT’s Tipping Point Network. Sign up to participate or help organize a local action group to educate your community about GMOs.
- Learn about Food Democracy Now’s GMO labeling campaigns, including one to get rid of FDA Deputy Commissioner of Foods Michael Taylor, a former Monsanto lobbyist whom President Obama appointed. Monsanto develops genetically modified seeds.
- Vote with your groceries. Buy products with the Non-GMO Project Verified Seal.
- Buy certified organic products when you can. They are not allowed to intentionally include any GMO ingredients.
- Read “The Guide to Understanding GMOs” for more ideas.
