REAL GMO Labels Proposed to USDA

This is our last chance for GMO Labeling.

Do you want GMOs to be labeled with happy, sunny, smiley faces?

This is what the USDA, due to pressure from big GMO companies no doubt, are proposing.

Screen_Shot_2018-05-07_at_11.51.55_AM.png

Do they remind you of something? Perhaps the organic symbols? If you have ever traveled to Europe, you will see these logos below in almost every shop--"BIO" in Europe stand for Organic. And yet the GMO industry wants to label GMOs with BE that stands for "BIO-Engineered Food." The GMO industry is trying to Co-Opt the organic industry!

Screen_Shot_2018-05-07_at_11.46.03_AM.png

Screen_Shot_2018-05-07_at_11.46.57_AM.png

We cannot let the USDA co-opt the organic industry, mislead the public, and hide GMOs!

Please comment directly to the USDA today and ask your friends and family to comment! You can even hand out flyers at your local health food store, Memorial Day parades, fairs, and festivals. We will be posting a flyer for you to use soon. Make sure to get our email alerts for updates.

Some important points you may want to use in your comment:

The proposed symbols, with "BE" for Bio-Engineering which are to represent genetically modified ingredients are unacceptable. The symbols or wording on the package must only read Genetic Engineering, GE, Genetically Modified, or GMO. GMO manufacturers, food manufacturers, and the public have been using the phrases GE, genetic engineering, GMO or genetically modified organisms for YEARS. Anything else is misleading and deceptive.

The following symbols are what we propose. The only other alternative that is acceptable is a WARNING Label: WARNING This product contains genetically engineered ingredients which may include chemicals that have been shown to cause harm to health.
Downloadable link to images here.
The currently proposed green BE symbols are too close in color and style to the European symbols for organic. The proposed symbols will confuse European customers and food products with the proposed symbols will likely be refused by EU importers, affecting US trade and commerce. This could hurt US farmers and our economy!
The current GMO labeling proposal would label GMOs only with a symbol, QR code, phone number or website that customers (standing in a grocery store with toddlers and children to watch, and a busy day) will have to scan, call, or look up, are intended to hide the presence of GMOs and are actually discriminating against elderly and low income consumers who may not have a cell phone or be able to use one. The only solution to GMO labeling is clearly written words such as "Made with genetic engineering" or "This product contains ingredients which may be genetically modified."
The current GMO law would not label GMOs that are derived from GMO but are highly processed, as the GMO proteins might be broken down and not detectable. Therefore GMO sugar, corn or vegetable oils, soy oils, and derivatives, would NOT be labeled GMO. These are the primary GMO ingredients, found in sodas, candies, and most of the processed foods in America! How inaccurate! How deceitful!
The proposed GMO labeling law would NOT include newer GMO methods such as CRISPR/gene editing. This is unacceptable. CRISPR has been determined to cause over 1600 off-target mutations. I have enough to worry about with my kids--homework, sports, chauffering them around, etc...I don't want to have to worry about genetic mutations in their food! Any and all GMOs must be labeled. Consumers need to know if their food is GMO. We have the right to choose to feed GMOs to our children or not--especially vulnerable children with autoimmune issues!
Finally, the current GMO proposal would allow food manufacturers to wait until 2022 to inform customers if GMOs are in their products! Four years? This is unacceptable! Manufacturers can make a sticker or change packaging in a matter of weeks! Please demand that food manufacturers label by June of 2019. A year is far longer than necessary.

Thank you for communicating to the USDA online in your own words, the above points or others that you are concerned with. Did we leave some out? Comment below!

To mail written comments concerning this proposed rule. Comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be filed with the Docket Clerk, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4543-South, Washington, DC 20250; Fax: (202) 690-0338. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be available for public inspection in Room 4543-South, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250 during regular business hours, or can be viewed at: www.regulations.gov.

For Further Information Contact

Email: [email protected]; telephone: (202) 690-1300; or Fax: (202) 690-0338.

Please note--signing a petition is NOT the most effective way to take action on this matter. The USDA as the option to only count unique comments on their comment page. So make your comment personal!

Please stay tuned for more actions you can take for this LAST effort to get meaningful, truthful labeling!!!

Thank you for your partnership in health and freedom!!

Gratefully,

Zen Honeycutt and MAA Team

Do you like this post?

Showing 10 reactions

Sign in with

Renee Albrecht commented 2018-07-05 11:55:51 -0400
Please truthfully, and accurately depict the nature of the ingredients in our food! bioengineered food does not leave consumers feeling “sunny”! It is not natural, so please don’t mislead us! Consider the more accurate logos provided to you!
Tiffany Kunkel commented 2018-07-03 23:07:30 -0400
The proposed labels are misleading. We deserve to know what is in our food.
💛💦 niaxxo commented 2018-07-03 13:45:33 -0400
It is imperative that we use labels on everything most importantly on items that we are consuming. As a consumer, a tax paying citizen and essentially a mother I have the right to know what I am purchasing. Misinforming the public is not acceptable – there is nothing green about this. I bet some the same folks don’t even feed their families GMO food. Using labels such as “produced with genetic engineering” or using a symbol with the GMO on the package will lessen the challenge for consumers, parents when shopping. It takes me an entire hour to shop and that’s when my wifi signal is strong. We are all individuals, yes some may continue to purchase/eat GMO products but why should I or my kids for that matter be singled out. It’s time the USDA gets on board… let’s start using REAL GMO labels.
Martha Roberts commented 2018-06-27 19:28:12 -0400
FDA, you’re headed in the wrong direction and consumers are not as dumb as you think we are. We want clear labeling of both GMO foods and the processed foods that contain them. This includes foods that have been CRISPR/gene-edited. A happy green sun that says BE is not acceptable. It must have large letters “GMO” or ’GE" and also spell out what it stands for.
Richard Cristdahl commented 2018-06-27 17:41:46 -0400
BE means nothing to most people. If your sincere in labeling food to tell then that it contains GMO’s, doesn’t it make sense to label it with the letters G-M-O. Please quit trying to make something bad look like it’s something good.
Tracey Gendron commented 2018-06-27 11:13:06 -0400
Smiley faces in GREEN to label GMO products with the word BE on them is simply unacceptable. We need TRUTH in our labelling and that means the familiar words that tell the truth about the product must be on the label: GMO.
Laverne Greywolf commented 2018-06-25 17:56:30 -0400
The labeling should be distinctly different from the healthy non-gmo foods. USDA if you support gmos and believe that they are healthy and safe for human consumption then why try to mislead consumers with a similar label? I personally think that it’s wrong to try to trick people with a label! I know that it’s a fleeting concept but how about some honesty for a refreshing and much needed change!
Paula T Powers commented 2018-06-24 14:26:17 -0400
I want them labeled clearly GMO this cutsie BE stuff is misleading and unacceptable.
Patricia K Smith commented 2018-06-04 12:52:27 -0400
My comment: I am concerned that GMO labeling being proposed are confusing and misinform the public.

Many consumers experience dangerous health conditions when exposed to certain products. Foods are now labeled for dairy, nuts, eggs and wheat to protect consumers from adverse health effects.

Consumers who experience negative health effects from consuming GMO foods must receive comparable clearly stated protection. As a citizen who suffers from chronic Gut Dysbiosis, I must be very careful to avoid chemicals commonly used on GMO crops. Consumption of chemicals typically found on GMO foods causes me to experience debilitating symptoms so severe they interfere with my ability to concentrate or perform usual activities. If I eat these kinds of foods I can no longer work or care for myself and my family. Additionally, failure to properly manage Gut Dysbiosis can lead to: IBS, colitis, candida, celiac disease, leaky gut syndrome, diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, skin conditions, such as eczema, liver disease, heart disease or heart failure, late-onset dementia, Parkinson’s disease, colon or rectum cancer. For this reason, it is imperative that consumers like myself receive unambiguous information to protect our health.

A simple statement of fact: “this food contains GMO” would protect consumers like myself. A logo with a happy face does nothing but confuse.
Russell Brothers commented 2018-06-04 12:19:04 -0400
Maybe the black and white one, just add a skull and crossbones