California: No majority for labeling of GMOs

There will still be no labeling of genetically modified foods in California, Gentechnik Transparenz reports. The legislative initiative (Proposition37 - as reported) that had been tabled by the Right to Know coalition found no majority at the referendum performed with the President's election on 06 November 2012. After counting the majority of voting districts, 45% spoke for the labeling, and 55% against the labeling of GMO products.
 

While being driven by environmental and consumer groups and organic food companies, the Right to Know campaign in late summer seemed like the sure winner. In early polls, a clear majority had spoken for a mandatory labeling. Shortly before the election, however, the mood turned and labeling opponents lay ahead. Apparently the main argument - mandatory labeling would lead to a significant rise of food prices - reached the California voters in the end. The campaign against mandatory labeling of GM foods was supported by large agro-corporations like Monsanto, Dupont and BASF, but also by large food companies such as Coca Cola, Nestle, Mars and Kraft Foods. According to official data, labeling opponents received more than US$ 40 million in support, while labeling proponants only recieved about US$ 8 million.  
 

Campaign supporters of genetically manipulated foods could soon find themselves involved in a federal criminal investigation, related to their manipulation of voters, Infowars reports. The FBI contacted an attorney for the CA Right to Know campaign in response to an official complaint filed with the USA Department of Justice, which cited numerous actions by the “No on 37″ campaign. In one advertisement – the one that’s now getting the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – campaign backers featured the FDA logo just below this direct quote: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a labeling policy like Prop 37 would be ‘inherently misleading’.” The FDA denies it ever made any such statement.

According to a press statement issued by CA Right to Know, statements made by the National Academy of Sciences, the World Health Organization and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics indicate those organizations were also grossly misrepresented by the “No on 37” campaign in the official California Voter Guide. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics even went so far as to subsequently issue its own press release to voters, expressing concerns over the misrepresentation, and clarifying its position that “the Academy supports consumers right to know what ingredients are in the foods they purchase to feed their families.” More information is available here.