GMO Labeling Patriotic as Arctic® Apple Pie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2015

Washington, DC – Today’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allowing two genetically engineered apple varieties onto the U.S. market emphasizes the need to label GMO food, said Katrina Saves of Just Label It.

“There is nothing more American than apple pie,” said Staves, campaign manger for Just Label It. “But with the approval of non-browning GMO apples, it is time that Congress realizes that transparent, informational labeling is just as patriotic.American consumers deserve the same rights as consumers in the 64 other countries around world that already require GMO labeling.”

The U.S. government approved the use of GMO crops nearly 20 years ago but still does not require labeling of GMO foods and ingredients despite polls showing more than 90 percent of Americans want the right to know what’s in their food. The so-called Arctic® apples are the latest addition to the short list of GMO whole foods currently on the market.

“Without mandatory labeling there will be no way for consumers to distinguish between GMO and non-GMO apples in the produce aisle,” Staves said.

On Thursday, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Rep. Peter DeFazio introduced a GMO labeling bill in the Senate and House in an effort to counter labeling opponents who are pushing a bill that would pre-empt GMO labeling laws passed by Vermont, Maine and Connecticut. Similar bills are pending in more than 20 other states.