Category: Proposition 37

Yes on Proposition 37

Unlike Monsanto and DuPont, we think we all have a right to know the nature of the food we buy. Vote Yes on Proposition 37.

Prop. 37 is simple. It requires clear labels letting consumers know if the foods they are purchasing contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Genetically engineered food (or GMOs) refers to plants or animals whose DNA has been altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria. An example is corn that contains the pesticide Bt toxin inside every cell of the corn itself. GMOs are created in a laboratory and altered at the molecular level – very different from hybridization or traditional selective breeding.

We already have food labels showing nutrition information and other facts consumers want to know. This measure simply adds information to the existing labels telling us if the food we are purchasing was modified with DNA from other plants, animals, bacteria or viruses in a laboratory.

This is why Californians should lead the way and vote yes on Proposition 37, the Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Initiative.

The law would also stop companies from calling food “natural” if it isn’t.

Who’s against labels and is paying a million dollars a day for the TV ads and mailings?

  • Monsanto: $7,100,500
  • DuPont: $4,900,000
  • BASF: $2,000,000
  • Bayer: $2,000,000
  • Dow: $2,000,000
  • Syngenta: $2,000,000
  • Pepsi: $1,716,300
  • Coca-Cola: $1,169,400
  • Nestle: $1,169,400
  • ConAgra Foods: $1,076,700

Who’s for Prop 37?

Consumers Union, The Center for Food Safety, American Public Health Association, California Nurses Association, Allergy Kids Foundation, thousands of California farmers, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Public Citizen, Consumer Federation of America, California Council of Churches, United Farm Workers, and literally hundreds of others.

It is clear that proposition 37 is opposed by big corporations who are profiting from the food and farming industries. They want complete control over everything we consume, without regard for the consequences to public health and the environment. While some smaller corporate organic food producers support proposition 37, its primary advocates are workers, small farmers, and health, consumer, and environmental organizations.

See endorsers at carighttoknow.org.

For the official summary and analysis of Proposition 37, as published by the Secretary of State, click here.