Tell USDA We Need Honest, Informative GE / GMO Labeling
As the deadline approaches for regulations on labeling genetically engineered (GE or GMO —genetically modified organism) food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a rule that fails in every important respect:
- It allows information to be conveyed by QR codes, whose use requires a cell phone (with camera function) and a reliable broadband connection.
- It allows GE food to be identified as “bioengineered” OR by a smiley-faced symbol containing the letters “be.”
- It does not cover highly processed GE foods, like vegetable oils or sugar, and does not include newer genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR (a gene editing tool).
- Implementation is delayed.
USDA is accepting comments through Regulations.gov. For quick copy and paste, use the text below to comment at Regulations.gov. Add a personal message at the beginning about why this is important to you, if possible.
Suggested Comments:
As a consumer, I have a right to know whether my food is produced using genetic engineering. As USDA finalizes labeling regulations, please ensure that labels are honest, transparent, and informative by adopting the following policies:
|
Not sure how to do this? Follow these simple steps:
- Select the text in the yellow table above (place your cursor before the first word in the text, then press and hold down the left mouse button and, without releasing the button, move the cursor to the end of the comments).
- Copy the selected text by selecting the Ctrl and C keys simultaneously.
- Click on this link to to open a new tab and in that tab, place your cursor in the "Comments" box.
- Paste the comments you copied by selecting the Ctrl and V keys simultaneously.
- Personalize your comments before entering your contact information and selecting "Continue".
Thank you for taking action!