Californians go to the ballot box on November 6, 2012,
to decide on Proposition 37, the initiative to label foods with
genetically modified ingredients. Should the majority vote "Yes",
Californians will finally get the right to know what they are eating.
This is what Monsanto and its minions in the
opposition dread the most. If Proposition 37 passes, you will see
labels on processed foods made using Monsanto's soy, canola, sugar (from
sugar beets), corn and cotton. Yes, you heard right, Americans eat
genetically engineered cotton in the form of cottonseed oil, an artery-clogging trans fat. You will also see labels on genetically engineered sweet corn, squash, zucchini and papaya.
While there are no genetically modified animals as yet, when and if the
first is approved, Prop 37 would make sure that they are labeled too.
The Obama administration is currently considering genetically engineered salmon so if approved, these would be labeled.
At present, 61 countries worldwide label genetically engineered food ingredients. If Proposition 37 passes, the US will then join the rest of the world in knowing what is in their food.
California makes up 10% of the US grocery market, and is the world's 8th
largest economy. Bear in mind that big food companies like Coca-Cola,
Nestle and Pepsi are unlikely to label GMOs in just one state and not in
the others, so eventually the whole country could have labeling on
GMOs.
With the opposition laying out $35 million, support has plummeted
for the cause, and the lead is narrowing with 48.3% saying "Yes" to
40.2% saying "No."
The biggest contributor to "No on 37" is Monsanto,
at $7 million. Monsanto has put more money into the opposition of Prop
37 than the entire "Yes" side combined.
See the graphic below for more
details on who is on which side in the battle.
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