Whole Foods Announces Its Commitment to GE Labeling

Today, Whole Foods Market  announced its commitment to the consumer right to know,  promising that all genetically engineered products sold in its stores would be labeled by 2018.

According to its blog, co-CEO Walter Robb stressed the national retailer’s support for transparency.  “We are putting a stake in the ground on GMO labeling to support the consumer’s right to know,” said Robb. “The prevalence of GMOs in the U.S. paired with nonexistent mandatory labeling makes it very difficult for retailers to source non-GMO options and for consumers to choose non-GMO products. Accordingly, we are stepping up our support of certified organic agriculture, where GMOs are not allowed, and we are working together with our supplier partners to grow our non-GMO supply chain to ensure we can continue to provide these choices in the future.”

Just Label It commends Whole Foods on being one of the first national food retailers to make this important commitment to consumers.

“Whole Foods is doing the right thing for consumers by giving them more information about what is in their food,” said Gary Hirshberg, chairman of Stonyfield Farm and board chair of Organic Voices.  “We urge other business leaders to work with us to give every American the same right as consumers in 62 other countries. More than 90 percent of Americans want the right to know whether their food contains GE ingredients so that they can make the best choices for their families.”

Whole Foods has been supportive of national labeling efforts, as well as the current labeling initiative in Washington State, and “looks forward to supporting other state efforts that may finally lead to one uniform set of national standards.”