{"id":20894,"date":"2017-07-26T00:00:23","date_gmt":"2017-07-26T04:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=20894"},"modified":"2017-07-27T00:44:09","modified_gmt":"2017-07-27T04:44:09","slug":"campbells-soup-parts-grocery-manufacturers-association-ge-labeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2017\/07\/campbells-soup-parts-grocery-manufacturers-association-ge-labeling\/","title":{"rendered":"Campbell\u2019s Soup Parts with Grocery Manufacturers Association over GE Labeling"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, July 26, 2017) Campbell Soup Co. announced<\/a> that it will leave the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) by the end of the year over concerns that the trade association no longer represents its views \"\"concerning labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food. Campbell\u2019s President and CEO Denise Morrison said that while the company does not question the safety of GE food, it recognizes that most consumers want to see GE ingredients on the label. Meanwhile, Campbell\u2019s has supported the GMA digital disclosure and lists ingredients that \u201cmay be derived from crops grown from genetically engineered seeds\u201d on its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The move by Campbell Soup comes as USDA is pondering possible disclosure options under the “compromise<\/a>”\u00a0bill on labeling genetically engineered food passed last year by the U.S. Congress. The company says, \u201cWhile this\u00a0legislation\u00a0offers a range of disclosure options for manufacturers, we will introduce an on-pack statement\u00a0as we know that\u2019s what the overwhelming majority of Americans support. We\u2019re working on language that provides specific ingredient information and supports the science that GMOs are safe.\u201d A number of other companies<\/a> have also announced their intention to label GE ingredients, while similarly maintaining their safety.<\/p>\n

USDA\u2019s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has extended to August 25 the comment period for responding to 30 questions<\/a> regarding the implementation of the law. The law includes labeling options other than on-package labeling, such as QR codes and websites, which would only serve to hide the information this law was passed to provide. It also allows USDA to decide which GE ingredients must be disclosed. Commenting<\/a> provides a chance to help shape USDA\u2019s proposal. So far, more than 3100 people have sent comments to AMS in response to a Beyond Pesticides alert.<\/p>\n

Beyond Pesticides is telling USDA the following<\/a>:<\/p>\n