A Farewell to GMO’s

Speak up.  Call your representatives and remind them to support the GMO Right-to-Know Act!

The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act requires mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food.  For Congress to act on labeling genetically engineered food, your representatives have to hear from you! Here’s a summary of the legislation:

“This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale of food that has been genetically engineered or contains genetically engineered ingredients, unless that information is clearly disclosed.

This prohibition does not apply to: (1) food served in restaurants, (2) medical food, (3) packaged food that is less than 0.9% genetically engineered material, and (4) food that qualifies as genetically engineered solely because it is produced using a genetically engineered vaccine or because it includes the use of a genetically engineered processing aid (including yeast) or enzyme.

Labeling or advertising foods containing genetically engineered material as “natural,” or using similar words, is prohibited.

A food recipient is not subject to penalties for misbranding of genetically engineered food or ingredients if the recipient has a guaranty that is signed by the person from whom they received the food (including seeds) and the guaranty states that the food is not genetically engineered or does not contain a genetically engineered ingredient.

Food is deemed to have been produced without the knowing or intentional use of genetic engineering if: (1) the food is certified as organic; or (2) an independent organization determines the food has not been knowingly or intentionally genetically engineered or commingled with genetically engineered food, with that determination being based on testing that is consistent with international standards and not reliant on processed foods with no detectable DNA.

An agricultural producer is not subject to penalties for misbranding of genetically engineered food or ingredients if a violation occurs because food unintentionally becomes contaminated with genetically engineered material and the contamination is not due to the producer’s negligence.”

It’s your turn. Tell your representatives how you feel about unlabeled genetically engineered food.

1)  Look up the names and phone numbers of your representatives here: https://www.opencongress.org/people/zipcodelookup 

2)  Call both your Senators and ask them to support – or co-sponsor – the GMO Right to Know Act:  Senate Bill #511

3)  Call your member in House of  Representatives and ask him/her to support – or co-sponsor – House Bill # 913.

You will be speaking to a member of their staff, whose job it is to make a record of your call, and then pass it on to the member.  You will most likely be asked for your name and address.  This  is to verify you as a member of their constituency.  Keep in mind that your representatives are accountable to you – and it’s your job to let them know you expect them to support this legislation!

Learn more about producing food with integrity:  WHEN IT COMES TO OUR FOOD, GENETICALLY MODIFIED INGREDIENTS DON’T MAKE THE CUT.

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