It’s rare that we pump our fists in the air or high-five strangers upon hearing most recent news stories. Yesterday evening was different. The news rolled in and, truth be told, a few happy tears formed.
In case you’ve been living in the DARK (pun intended), here’s why this is so important:
Last July, legislators passed a bill, dubbed by opponents as the Deny Americans the Right to Know, or DARK Act (H.R. 1599). The bill would preempt the FDA and states of their right to label and regulate genetically engineered (GE) foods; thereby denying consumers the right to know what is in their food and how it is grown. Despite many Americans’ desire for GE labeling, big food and chemical companies lobbied and spent massively to conceal this. Why? Perhaps it’s because genetically altered foods have been linked to a host of issues.
Consumer advocate groups contend that Americans should have the same entitlement as those in other countries (i.e. European) to this information. We agree. And, luckily, so did the Senate.
Yesterday’s defeat of the DARK Act marks a victory for the organic industry, for public health and consumers. There’s hope that a compromise can be made about GE labeling that is supported by both the public and industry.
onebitewellness 