In the last week or two I have seen many references in the media, which show a dramatic shift in positive trends regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Today I saw that Hellman's Mayonnaise is the latest brand going non-GMO, and that Chipotle is the first national food chain that is going non-GMO. One of the largest baby formula makers, Similac, recently said that they would start offering a non-gmo version of their formula. Pizza Hut and Taco Bell are removing all artificial ingredients from their products, with the CEO of Pizza Hut saying that he is making the changes in response to customer demands.
Big business invests a great deal in making their desires known to our government. In order to create change we as citizens must use whatever means available to inform our representatives in government of our own desires for health and wellness.
Governments Are Starting to Get on Board
Vermont is the first state to require the labeling of genetically-modified food. Even though the majority of Vermonters want the labeling, big business is now taking the issue to court. If Vermont wins the case then many states will follow suit. Maine and Connecticut also have the same law, but will only implement them if Vermont wins the case.
Ben and Jerry's have also gone non-GMO and the founders of the company are campaigning in Washington, D.C. to encourage our government to support the cause of labeling GMO foods.
Neil Young just wrote a song called "Rock Starbucks." A line on the song is "Yeah, I want a cup of coffee, but I don't want a GMO." He is on a campaign to boycott Starbucks until they cut their ties with Monsanto and to go GMO-free.
Many Countries and Regions Ban GMOs and Glyphosate
More and more countries are going either GMO free or glyphosate (a herbicide that has been recently reported to have cancer causing toxins) free. Shri Lanka and the Netherlands are the latest two countries to ban glyphosate along with Mexico, Russia, South Africa, France, Chile, and Brazil.
There is a growing list of countries that are banning the sale of GMOs altogether.
Almost every day I get a new Facebook post stating that another region in some country around the world is banning GMOs, which shows public outcry is growing against GMO crops.
As I am writing this article I just saw two posts on my Facebook feed. One stating that a judge upheld Jackson County Oregon's ban on growing GMO crops; and another saying Hungary just announced that they are the first EU country to ban GMOs. The Deputy state secretary said that he is convinced that it is the only way to ensure that families have access to safe foods.
These changes are a direct result of citizens demanding healthier food. Hopefully, the results will snowball and gather rapid momentum so everyone on the planet can enjoy healthier food. We are however, racing against time. It is urgent to stop the spread of GMOs, as well as all the pesticides that are poisoning the earth.
We the people have the power, and must be bold in maximizing that power. We have to reclaim our democracy, but in order to do so we have to vote with our pocket book.
People we are on a roll. Let's win this race now!
Ann Purcell is an author and has been teaching meditation around the world since 1973. In addition, she has worked on curricula and course development for universities and continuing education programs. Her latest book, The Transcendental Meditation Technique and the Journey of Enlightenment was released on March 13, 2015
