Should Genetically Modified Foods be Labeled Presenters Raveena

Should Genetically Modified Foods be Labeled? Presenters: Raveena Siew, Lee Claudio, Nicole Leo, Sadé Taylor, Julecia Clark & Jennifer Ambrose 3. 29. 2016

What is GMO? Product of genetic engineering “isolates the gene for the desired trait, adds it to a single plant cell in a laboratory, and generates a new plant from that cell. By narrowing the introduction to only one desired gene from the donor organism, scientists can eliminate unwanted characteristics from the donor’s other genes. ” (fda. gov) Isolate gene for desired trait Add to a plant cell (done in lab) NOT synonymous with traditional breeding: 10 -year process Generate new (GM) plant

Why should I care? 88% of corn and 93% of soybeans is genetically engineered What does that means for consumers? Sodas & juices Baked goods Condiments and sauces Crackers

Non-GMO Seal Non-profit organization that performs verification of non-GM products

What is the ethical dilemma? 90% of Americans want GMO labeling According to Consumer International: Right to be informed Right to safety Labeling GM foods is currently voluntary determined on state-by-state basis 60 other countries have labeling requirements Why not the U. S?

Facts: To Label or Not to Label Pros: Consumer’s Rights Food Restrictions Everyone else is doing it 60 other countries have labeling requirements Informed Decisions

To Label or Not to Label: cont. Cons: Rules of Labeling, how specific should they be? Lack of understanding of what GMOs are Labeling can be interpreted as health risk Increased costs Alternative to GM products are organic ones Labeling does not increase consumer choices GM foods have been around since the 1990 s Americans are already consuming large amount of GMOs

Most Common GMOs Soy Canola Corn Sugar Beets Hawaiian Papaya Alfalfa Squash (Yellow and Zucchini)

Foods Containing GMOs Eaten any of these lately? Canned Soup Frozen Entrees Cereal Meat Milk Soda

Stakeholders Consumers Producers Food retailers

Stakeholders - Consumers Consumer Poll on GMO Labels 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Favored Not Favored Don't Know *Based on Mellman Group poll of 2, 000 people. November 2015

Stakeholders – Producers Coca-Cola & Pepsi. Co Spent more than $4. 1 million combined to hide GMO labels Sweeteners (corn syrup) derived from genetically engineered crops Own Minute-Maid, Hi-C, Tropicana, Lipton, Gatorade, and Naked Juice

Stakeholders – Food Retailers Whole Foods Will require labels by 2018 Expects Non-GMO sales to increase by 15 -30% Will pave the way for other retailers Other Retailers Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s decided to not sell genetically modified salmon

What Are The Options? Allow no labeling regarding the use or non-use of GMOs Require mandatory labeling of products that use GMOs Allow voluntary labeling of products that do or do not use GMOs Allow voluntary labeling of products that do not use GMOs accompanied with disclaimers

Option 1 - Allow No Labeling No differentiation between organic products and genetically modified products Use of GMO technology is treated no different from use of existing technologies

Option 2 - Mandatory Labeling Requirements Provides consumers with full information on products Requires producers and manufacturers to separate GMO from non-GMO products

Option 3 - Voluntary Labeling Allows producers to communicate the presence or absence of GMO technology to consumers Producers may choose products that align with their preferences

Option 4 - Voluntary Labeling with Disclaimers Restrictions placed on some forms of voluntary labeling to prevent consumer deception Example: Requiring a disclaimer that there is no safety difference between a GMO and non-GMO product when the label states that GMOs have not been used

What Choices Do Manufacturers Have?

Choices for Manufacturers Separate food packages for certain States Label all items with genetically modified ingredients Withdraw products from states with labeling laws

Our choice Option 2: Require GMOs mandatory labeling of products that use

Justification Beneficence: promoting good Ø According to the Washington Post, MSNBC show over 90% of consumers who want GM ingredients labeled. Right-Based: part of our basic human rights to know Ø We have the right to know what we’re eating and feeding to our families.

Justification Human Studies Long Term conditions - Infertility Problems - Immune Problems - Accelerated Aging - Changes in major organs - Gastrointestinal System Animal Studies Male Rats suffer from liver problems Female Rats developed breast tumor Changes in female rats ovaries and uterus

Justification According to a study conducted by recognized food-marketing expert Kai Robertson, changes to a food manufacturer’s product labels have not been found to affect the prices paid by shoppers

What can we do to prevent this dilemma in the future: Focus on your health Buy organic or non-GMO if/when possible Use your purchasing power wisely Become label-conscious Vote against the DARK act (H. R. 1599) Denying Americans the Right to Know

DARK act: July 23, 2015 passed a bill in the House of Representatives H. R. 1599 This bill prevents state and local authority to label and regulate genetically engineered (GE) foods. This bill will make it harder for the agency to require labeling nationally by laying out additional standards for this policy making misleading “natural” claims for foods contain GE ingredients. “This is yet again a reminder of how out of touch a majority of members in the House of Representatives are with the values and needs of the American public, ” said Colin O’Neil, director of government Affairs.

Connecticut passed GE Labeling Law (2013): HB-6519, a bill that would require labeling of genetically engineered food sold in Connecticut. (A) food intended for human consumption, and (B) seed or seed stock that is intended to produce food for human consumption, that is entirely or partially genetically-engineered, except a processed food subject to the provisions of this section solely because one or more processing aids or enzymes were produced or derived from genetic engineering, shall be labeled as follows: (i) In the case of such food that is sold wholesale and is not intended for retail sale, on the bill of sale accompanying such food during shipping, with the clear and conspicuous words: "Produced with Genetic Engineering";

Your voice counts! March 18 th, 2016: 41 votes were cast by the U. S Senate to label GM foods and not prevent states from requiring GMO labeling Since then, a few companies have become pro-label

References Food Safety News. USDA Approves Apples Genetically Engineered to Resist Browning. (2015). Retrieved from: http: //www. foodsafetynews. com/2015/02/usda-approves-ge-apples-that-wont-brown/ Non GMO Project. What is GMO? Agricultural Crops That Have a Risk of Being GMO. (2015). Retrieved from: http: //www. nongmoproject. org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/ Ipatenco, S. , Healthy Eating. How Much High-Fructose Corn Syrup Do We Consume? Retrieved from: http: //healthyeating. sfgate. com/much-highfructose-corn-syrup-consume-9234. html Center for Food Safety. About GE Food Labeling. Retrieved from: http: //www. centerforfoodsafety. org/issues/976/ge -food-labeling/about-ge-labeling U. S Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Info About Food from Genetically Engineered Plants. Retrieved from: http: //www. fda. gov/Food. Science. Research/GEPlants/ucm 461805. htm Caswell, J. , A. (1998). Should Use of Genetically Modified Organisms Be Labeled? The Journal of Agrobiotechnology Management & Economics, 1(1), 22 -24. Retrieved from: http: //agbioforum. org/v 1 n 1 a 06 -caswell. htm Just Label It! Connecticut Becomes First State to Pass GE Labeling Law. Retrieved from: http: //www. justlabelit. org/ct-approve-ge-labeling-law/ State of Connecticut. An Act Concerning Genetically-Engineered Food. Retrieved from: https: //www. cga. ct. gov/2013/act/pa/pdf/2013 PA-00183 -R 00 HB-06527 -PA. pdf MA Right to Know GMOs. Why Label GMOs? Retrieved from: http: //marighttoknow. com/home/why-label-gmos/ Institute for Responsible Technology. Health Risks. Retrieved from: http: //responsibletechnology. org/gmoeducation/health-risks/

Comments/Questions? On behalf of our group, Thank you!