Survey: 90% of Moms Support GE Food Labeling Law

(Sustainable Food News)

Ninety percent of mothers and 88 percent of fathers want the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods, according to a new survey by the Just Label It – We Have a Right to Know (JLI) campaign.

The vast majority of corn and soybeans grown in the United States are genetically modified and used as ingredients in over 70 percent of packaged foods found on supermarket shelves. Organic foods are prohibited by federal law to contain GM ingredients.

GM food labeling is already required in more than 40 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Brazil, China and members of the European Union.

“Instinctively, parents want to make informed choices about what they eat and what they serve their children,” said Gary Hirshberg, JLI chairman and chairman and co-founder of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s largest producer of organic yogurt. “But when it comes to genetically engineered foods, parents are left in the dark because the common-sense tool that could help them choose – food labeling – isn’t available to them.”

The survey, conducted by the Mellman Group, also showed knowing whether the food they purchase and serve their families contains GE ingredients is important to 85 percent of mothers and 80 percent of fathers.

Mellman released a voter political opinion poll earlier this year on the GE-food labeling issue, which showed 91 percent support for requiring labeling of GM foods.

JLI is urging parents to sign a petition asking the FDA to mandate food labeling for GE foods.

VIDEO: Watch parents talk about their right to know

Read More: http://sustainablefoodnews.com/story.php?news_id=17274