Smart Balance to remove GMOs from butter-like spreads

(http://www.latimes.com) Smart Balance recently announced that it will phase out genetically modified ingredients used in their butter-like spreads. The company said that the process should be completed in early summer of this year and won't cause an increase in costs.

"I've been in the food industry for 35 years. I have never seen a consumer issue come on this fast," said Stephen Hughes, chairman and chief executive of Smart Balance's parent brand, Boulder Brands, according to the LA Times. "Forty-three percent of our consumers want to see a non-GMO Smart Balance."

GMO labeling initiatives were extremely popular with consumers in California and Washington State, but they were defeated after food companies poured millions of dollars into misinformation campaigns. Over 60 countries around the world require GMO labeling, which is something sought after by 93 percent of all consumers, Hughes admitted. He also said that the move was being taken to appeal to consumer demand, not for safety reasons.

Smart Balance already has non-GMO Natural Peanut Butter, and the "company is considering converting other products, including its mayonnaise dressing and cooking spray oils," the LA Times reported.