(
http://www.good.is)
Voting day, November 5, is coming up fast for I-522, a Washington initiative that would mandate labeling of packaged foods containing genetically engineered ingredients, also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The bill is similar to Prop 37, which was defeated in California last year after national corporations, such as Monsanto, DuPont and PepsiCo, donated $46 million to oppose it. Supporters of consumers' fundamental right to know what they are purchasing are worried that I-522 might see similar defeat, as those same profit-obsessed companies have contributed over $7.2 million to defeat the initiative, compared to the $6.9 million raised so far by its proponents.
One of the ridiculous, misleading claims being espoused by the perpetuators of the status quo is that, as if manufacturers didn't already change their labels often for advertising or regulatory purposes, GMO labeling would somehow drive up the price of food products, a claim that has been debunked several times by independent researchers. Now, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, a popular company that makes and sells organic soap, has changed their iconic label to help spread the word for the Yes on 522 campaign.
The soap company has done this in the face of deceitful reports about the huge increase in costs that changing a label would supposedly cause. The soaps are organic and non-GMO, meaning that their labeling would not even be affected by the initiative. Despite this, they have been a huge supporter of the campaign, being one of its top donors, with contributions totaling more than $1.7 million. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps is dedicated to a number of causes, consumers' rights to know and transparent labeling being among them.
From "Why Dr. Bronner's is on a Soapbox for GMO Labeling" on
Good.is:
We cap executive compensation at five to one per our lowest paid position, and dedicate profits not needed for the business to charitable and activist causes. We have prioritized labeling of genetically modified foods alongside supporting at-risk youth programs, re-commercializing industrial hemp, animal advocacy, fairness in trade, and other worthwhile efforts. My brother and I wrote this new GMO info label in the tradition of our grandfather, Dr. Emanuel Bronner, and his "All-One" philosophy, and on behalf of our commitment to healthy and sustainable agriculture, corporate accountability, and the consumers' right to know - all of which embody the social and ecological principles that inform the philosophy printed on the original castile liquid soap labels.The I-522 campaign is an important issue for everyone, even if you don't live in Washington. If it succeeds, it could trigger further action around the country to help protect consumers and establish transparent labeling regulations. GMOs have been linked to a wide variety of health and environmental problems, and even if they hadn't been, there is no reason that they should be hidden in the foods we ingest. Join Dr. Bronner's,
Natural News and thousands of other concerned organizations and individuals in supporting the Yes on 522 campaign to ensure a healthier, safer and more informed future for us all.
