Say it isn't so, Washington state! Tuesday was a win for corporate interests and a lose for health, the environment, and educated food choices: (Before you read the post below, you may first want to read a basic GMO definition here.)
“Supporters of the bill were severely outgunned in the campaign faced by corporate opposition from the likes of Monsanto, Pepsi and Nestle.
The multinationals invested a total of $22 million in convincing the state’s constituents they should vote against the mandatory labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients.” (Read the rest.)
There are some good comments in the Facebook discussion that you'll want to catch.
Get the book, Seeds of Deception, here to learn more (affiliate link) or see the links below for more information on this issue.
FYI: Here is a list of companies that contributed to the $22 million spent in Washington state to convince voters that they shouldn't know whether their food is genetically modified or not:
Abbott Nutrition
Bimbo Bakeries USA
Bruce Foods Corp.
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
Bunge North America, Inc.
Bush Brothers & Co.
Campbell Soup Co.
Cargill Inc.
Clement Pappas & Co. Inc.
The Clorox Co. (owner of Burt's Bees brand)
The Coca-Cola Co. (owner of Odwalla)
ConAgra Foods
Dean Foods Co. (owner of Horizon milk)
Del Monte Foods Co.
Flowers Foods, Inc.
General Mills, Inc. (owner of Larabar)
The Hershey Co.
The Hillshire Brands Co.
Hormel Foods Corp.
The J.M. Smucker Co.
Kellogg Co. (owner of Pop-Tarts)
Knouse Foods Cooperative, Inc.
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
McCormick & Co., Inc
Mondelez Global, LLC.
Moody Dunbar, Inc.
Nestle USA, Inc.
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
PepsiCo, Inc. (owner of Naked Juice)
Pinnacle Foods Group, LLC.
Rich Products Corp.
Shearer's Foods, Inc.
Sunny Delight Beverages Co.
Welch Foods, Inc.
Do with this information whatever you feel you should. I know that I'm going to watch what I'm buying much more closely. I just thought that since these guys don't want people to know what they're eating, we should at least know who THEY are.
Is there any hope?
ABSOLUTELY! How many more real foodies do you know now than you knew a year ago, or a few years ago? I know a TON more. We are growing and becoming more powerful! It's just a matter of time. Do you agree?
Get Genetic Roulette here, another good resource to learn more.
Let's keep up the pressure everyone!
Have you seen these posts on GMOs?
- We’re Waking People Up to the Bottomless Pit of Corruption {Plus a GMO Refresher}
- Look at all the Celebrities on Our Side!
Karen says
In response to Peggy’s comment, another way to hit their pocketbook is for all opposed to these companies to make sure they don’t own any of their stock. Check your portfolios, mutual funds, index funds, etc.
Sonja @ practical-stewardship.com says
Hi Kelly,
Living in Washington State, I was especially disappointed when I-522 didn’t pass. I was actually considering buying more conventional items if it passed because I’d know if they contain GMOs or not and wouldn’t purchase the GMO food. Well, this has solidified my commitment to buying as much organic food as possible, buying from our local food co-op, and going to Trader Joe’s where all of their TJs brand is non-GMO. We already make most things from scratch.
I have read newspaper articles and have intelligent friends that voted “no” but don’t want GMOs either and would favor labeling in the future, but have said the bill was poorly written. They don’t want to side with Monsanto, but they want less government or they don’t want the gov’t to blow dollars when setting up the new organization/committee that would have to watch food labels. So even though there are more who voted “no”, that doesn’t represent all of those people not wanting the food labeling. So I am excited though, that I think more people are becoming aware of the issue, and Lord willing more companies will voluntarily food label. Blessings!
Betty says
I bought seeds of change many, many years ago when it was first published. When I bought it, I had no idea what it was about. I’ve always been interested in the real food movement before it had a name. If I could just get my husband on board.
Peggy says
I just re-read Seeds of Change. He really needs to update that book. So much more has gone on since the first writing. In the meantime, I’m writing each of the consumer product divisions of the above list to the effect that, “Because of your stand against Washington State bill 522, I have ceased to purchase your products and I’m encouraging my friends to do the same. The NEXT time GMO labeling appears on a ballot, you will fight it without my money in your coffer. I have enjoyed your products for many years, and look forward to a time when you reverse your stance so I may enjoy them once again.”
Then, I blow a raspberry at them and seal the envelope.
Linda says
We’ll never have enough money to beat Monsatan. We have to hope that eventually the word will get out to enough people that they will stop buying gmo foods.
Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} says
Thank you for this list. Sigh…. how disappointing.
IC says
I am from a county that voted yes. Everyone I know – from my small farmers – to college students – voted yes. The whole thing makes me sick. I don’t watch TV so I have no idea about the ads but I do know all the money the anti group spent could have been used for a lot of good and GMOs are all about ending world hunger, right? Larabars and Odwalla were among the last of our packaged occasionals – NOT ANYMORE.
Oregon Chris says
Can you believe this BS? It is my opinion we as neighbors should grow our own food. Maybe One person on the block could do chickens and another have a garden and then trade, but this idea doesn’t need to stop here. We could conceivably cover 90% or more of our grocery bills with REAL food that is quality if we create our own networks and do the work. F monsanto an all like them!