Food Companies Should Keep Clear, On-Pack GMO Labels

For Immediate Release
August 1, 2016

Food Companies Should Keep Clear, On-Pack GMO Labels

WASHINGTON– Food companies should commit to keeping clear and simple GMO labels on their products, even as USDA develops GMO labeling rules under the bill signed by President Obama today, according to Just Label It.

“Consumers have already begun to see GMO labeling disclosures on many familiar food packages as companies prepared to comply with Vermont’s groundbreaking law,” said Gary Hirshberg, chairman of Just Label It and Stonyfield Farm. “In the wake of the creation of a national, mandatory labeling system, Campbell’s, Mars and Dannon have already publicly committed to keeping this simple disclosure on their packages as USDA sorts out the rules for implementation of this new law. I have sent a letter to other industry leaders asking them to publicly commit to keeping consumers out of the dark when it comes to GMOs in our food.”

Despite opposition to GMO labeling by big food and biotech, nine out of ten consumers have consistently said they want a mandatory, on package disclosure. Now, American shoppers will have the same right to know more about their food as citizens in 64 other countries.

“In recent months, we have seen real-world examples of how clear, on-package labeling can work for both consumers and industry. It is my hope that food corporations reject high-tech gimmicks, like QR codes, and stick with the simple, non-judgmental disclosures we have already seen popping up on shelves across the country,” Hirshberg added.