Just Label It, News Roundup 5-4

On Thursday, the USDA released a proposed rule to implement the mandatory GMO disclosure law passed in 2016. The proposed rule has a 60-day comment period for consumers to weigh in on mandatory GMO labeling standards. The FDA has been testing food samples for traces of glyphosate for two years, but the agency has not yet released any official results. Just this week, however, glyphosate was found in granola and crackers, internal FDA emails show. And on Thursday, the FDA announced its approval of the first U.S. facility for production of genetically engineered salmon. However, an “import alert” for genetically engineered salmon remains in place, preventing U.S. production for now. On Monday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine sued agricultural giant Monsanto, alleging the company concealed dangers dangers of a toxic chemical compound it manufactured for nearly a half-century. The world’s most widely used insecticides, neonicotinoids, will be banned from all fields in Europe within six months to protect wild bees and honeybees that are vital to crop pollination. Meanwhile, in Argentina, people in the heart of the area where genetically modified soy and maize are grown suffer miscarriages and birth defects at much higher rates than the national averages, a new study shows. And Hawaii is one step closer to buffering the use of several pesticides around schools, and outright banning the use of another pesticide throughout the state.

Statement from JLI On USDA’s Proposed Rule for Nationwide Disclosures of GMO Foods

On Thursday the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a proposed rule to implement the mandatory GMO disclosure law passed in 2016. Read our press statement from Gary Hirshberg, chairman of the Just Label It campaign.

Weedkiller found in granola and crackers, internal FDA emails show

The FDA has been testing food samples for traces of glyphosate for two years, but the agency has not yet released any official results.

UPDATE: FDA OKs first U.S. genetically engineered salmon facility, at Albany

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced its approval of the first U.S. facility for production of genetically engineered salmon. However, an “import alert” for genetically engineered salmon remains in place, preventing U.S. production for now.

Monsanto concealed effects of toxic chemical for decades, Ohio AG alleges

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine sued agricultural giant Monsanto on Monday, alleging the company concealed dangers posed by a toxic chemical compound it manufactured for nearly a half-century.

EU agrees total ban on bee-harming pesticides

The world’s most widely used insecticides will be banned from all fields within six months, to protect both

Argentine study links glyphosate herbicide to miscarriage, birth defects

People living in an Argentine town in the heart of the GM soy and maize growing area suffer miscarriages at three times and birth defects at twice the national average rate, a new study shows. In addition, the study found a correlation between a high environmental exposure to glyphosate and an increased frequency of reproductive disorders (miscarriage and birth defects).

Pesticide bill on verge of taking root

Hawaii is one step closer to buffering the use of several pesticides around schools, while outright banning the use of another throughout the state. The Legislature on Friday afternoon passed out of conference committee Senate Bill 3095 SD1 HD1 CD1, sending the measure to final votes on the House and Senate floors.