Los AngelesCalifornia Elections 2012GMOprop-37

Prop 37: Labeling For GMOs, Or Genetically Modified Food

Prop 37: Labeling For GMOs
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

|

Prop 37 would require companies to label all foods that have been made with genetically modified ingredients. It would also prohibit marketing with the use of the word “natural” on GM-labeled foods.

Proponents claim that GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) have been linked to allergies and other health problems. They also say that Prop 37 would not create new oversight bureaucracies, as the law would be self-enforced, and that there are also no incentives to sue companies that don’t comply.

Over 125 chefs signed on in support of Prop 37, following the lead of Berkeley chef Alice Waters. Part of her letter reads:

Fifty countries around the world—representing more than 40 percent of the world’s population—already require GMO labeling, including all of Europe, Japan, India and China. Polls show that more than 90 percent of Americans want to know if their food is genetically engineered.

Opponents counter that there is no scientific evidence that processed food with traces of GMOs is dangerous for human consumption. And because regulation and verification would fall on retailers’ shoulders, Prop 37 could unduly burden smaller stores and businesses -- and eventually consumers.

In a segment for HuffPost's "Talk Nerdy To Me," University of Florida biology professor Dr. Kevin Folta explained why he is skeptical of labeling legislation:

And even in the absence of any scientific evidence that says they’re dangerous, [labels] will go ahead and show and convince people that [GMOs are] dangerous. I think the problem that we have there is a supply and demand one. Once you’re able to scare people away from 70 percent of the food that’s out there, now you’re going to see higher prices and fewer consumer choices and that will affect the poorest people most first.

For: CALPIRG, Autism One, Amy’s Kitchen, Clif Bar & Company, Gjelina, Cafe Gratitude, Chez Panisse, Real Food Daily, California Democratic Party, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Rep. Brad Sherman, Rep. Howard Berman, State Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. See more at carighttoknow.org.

Against: LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Association of Convenience Stores, Cailfornia Indepedent Grocers Association, California Chamber Of Commerce. See more at noprop37.com.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

California 2012 Propositions
Prop 30: Gov. Jerry Brown's Tax Initiative(01 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: There will be an increase in state income taxes on the wealthy (those who make over $250,000) for seven years. Sales taxes will increase by ¼ cent for four years. Its passage will stave off $6 billion in automatic “trigger cuts” -- mainly to K-12 schools and state universities -- that Gov. Jerry Brown wrote into the 2012-2013 budget. NO vote: State income taxes and sales taxes are not increased, and California's education budget will be gutted in accordance with Brown's "trigger cut" budget.California Gov. Jerry Brown joins students at a rally promoting Prop. 30 in the upcoming election in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Prop 30 would raise taxes, directing the money toward education. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) (credit:AP)
Prop 31: Two-Year Budget Cycle(02 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: All bills will be made public at least three days before coming to a vote before the legislature, lengthen the state's budgeting cycle from one to two years, mandate the identification of funding sources for all new programs costing over $25 million and allow local governments to create "regional collaboration" bodies possessing the ability to supersede state laws. NO vote: There will be no change to the California legislature and governor's fiscal responsibilities. (credit:Alamy)
Prop 32: Ban On Corporate & Union Contributions(03 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: Unions and corporations cannot use money automatically deducted from employee checks for political donations.NO vote: There will be no change to the laws that currently allow unions and corporations to use money automatically deducted from their employees' pay checks for political purposes. (credit:AP)
Prop 33: Auto Insurance Histories(04 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: Auto insurance companies will take into account a customer's car insurance history, even if it spans different companies.NO vote: Auto insurance companies will continue to be prohibited from giving customers discounts based on their histories with other companies. (credit:Alamy)
Prop 34: Repeal Of The Death Penalty(05 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: The death penalty will end in California.NO vote: California's death penalty sentence remains intact. (credit:Alamy)
Prop 35: Human Trafficking Penalties(06 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: Prosecutors will be able to seek harsher penalties (fines and prison sentences) for convicted human traffickers.NO vote: The laws currently in place about sentencing convicted human traffickers will remain intact. (credit:Alamy)
Prop 36: Repeal Of The 'Three Strikes' Law(07 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: Convicts with two prior convictions who commit a third, nonserious or non-violent crime will not be sentenced to life in prison. Those who are currently in jail with a life sentence for a nonserious or non-violent crime could be given shorter prison sentences.NO vote: California's "Three Strikes Law," in which felons could receive life imprisonment for their third conviction, remains intact. Those already in jail for their third felony will remain. (credit:Alamy)
Prop 37: GMO Labeling(08 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: Companies will be required to put labels on all food with GMOs (genetically modified organisms). NO vote: Genetically engineered foods will continue to remain unlabeled. (credit:Alamy)
Prop 38: Molly Munger's Tax Initiative(09 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: All Californians will have a higher rates of personal income taxes, the revenues of which get routed to local K-12 schools and early childhood programs.NO vote: Californians continue with their current personal state income tax rates. Schools get no extra money.Molly Munger, a wealthy attorney and civil rights advocate, listens to a reporters question regarding her proposed ballot initiative to raise income taxes for school funding following her appearance at the California Parent Teacher Association's annual meeting in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (credit:AP)
Prop 39: Income Tax Increases For Multistate Businesses(10 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: All businesses will be forced to calculate their taxes based exclusively on in-state sales. NO vote: Businesses will continue to choose whether to calculate their state taxes based on either the sales they make in the state or a combination of sales, property and employees in the state. (credit:AP)
Prop 40: Referendum On State Senate Redistricting Plan(11 of11)
Open Image Modal
YES vote: California will continue to use the new Senate district boundaries that were drawn and certified by the Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2011. NO vote: The California Supreme Court will appoint a special master to determine new state senate districts. (credit:Alamy)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip