Calif. initiative will test appetite for GMO food – Sat, 06 Oct 2012 PST

October 6, 2012 in Nation/World

Alicia Chang Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) Calories. Nutrients. Serving size. How about produced with geneticengineering?

California voters will soon decide whether to require certain raw and processed foods to carry such alabel.

In a closely watched test of consumers appetite for genetically modified foods, the special label is being pushed by organic farmers and advocates who are concerned about what people eat even though the federal government and many scientists contend such foods aresafe.

More than just food packaging is at stake. The outcome could reverberate through American agriculture, which has long tinkered with the genes of plants to reduce disease, ward off insects and boost the foodsupply.

International food and chemical conglomerates, including Monsanto Co. and DuPont Co., have contributed about $35 million to defeat Proposition 37 on the November ballot. It also would ban labeling or advertising genetically altered food as natural. Its supporters have raised just about one-tenth of thatamount.

If voters approve the initiative, California would become the first state to require disclosure of a broad range of foods containing genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Food makers would have to add a label or reformulate their products to avoid it. Supermarkets would be charged with making sure their shelves are stocked with correctly labeleditems.

Genetically altered plants grown from seeds engineered in the laboratory have been a mainstay for more than a decade. Much of the corn, soybean, sugar beets and cotton cultivated in the United States today have been tweaked to resist pesticides or insects. Most of the biotech crops are used for animal feed or as ingredients in processed foods including cookies, cereal, potato chips and saladdressing.

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Calif. initiative will test appetite for GMO food - Sat, 06 Oct 2012 PST