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Nov 3rd 2025
GMO Labeling Gaining Momentum
. . . and why proponents are on the right side of this consumer rights debate
Saturated fat 3 g, Trans fat 1.5 g…best if used by 31 Aug 2013…processed in a facility with products that contain egg, soy, shellfish, and tree nuts.
We’ve come to expect these kinds of statements on our food labels. Yet there’s one listed in over 60 other countries that you won’t find in the United States. An ingredient label stating, “contains genetically modified organisms” (GMOs).
While we’ve repeatedly warned of the significant health dangers of genetically engineered (GE) foods, a movement to mandate labeling of all GMO foods has been slowly building momentum.
The past several months, consumers like you have voiced your concern at the grocery store and ballot box. Now, both food industry and your state representatives are on notice to stop the lies and get on the right side of GMO labeling.
Separating GMO labeling fact from fiction
The food industry claims GMO labeling would only confuse consumers and increase food costs. However—as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) explains here—food labels change all the time. And research shows labeling would have zero impact on food prices.
Interestingly, the food industry’s own Mark Lynas recently shocked a pro-GMO audience when he declared an unwillingness to label GE foods is a mistake in strategy. He rightly points out that—whether you’re pro or anti-GMO—you can still be on the side of consumers’ right to know.
But don’t expect Mr. Lynas’ ‘apology’ to end the food industry’s distortion of facts, cover-ups, political bullying, and outright lies regarding GMO labeling. In fact, proponents of transparency in food labeling have uncovered even more trickery in Big Food’s playbook. Internal documents that reveal their...
Secret plan to kill GMO labeling in every state
Arguably, drafting uniform legislation dictating how to label GE products would be good for both consumers and the food industry. And, considering the usual political give-and-take, one might expect a compromise proposal for labeling from the food industry.
But as we’ve seen before, there’s no compromising when it comes to profiteering at the expense of unwary consumers.
Instead, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)—a lobbying powerhouse representing food industry giants like PepsiCo, Nestle, General Mills, and Coca-Cola—has been secretly working on a “federal solution” that involves voluntary labeling. This underhanded attempt at crafting federal legislation would essentially make it illegal for individual states to pass laws requiring GMO labeling.
In fact, as we write this, Big Food lobbyists are strong-arming Congress and the FDA to draft a sort of “self-certification” policy. A scheme that would allow food companies to claim their genetically engineered foods are safe—and even free of GMO ingredients altogether—with little if any government confirmation or oversight!
Certainly bad news for the GMO labeling movement. Yet there’s reason for concerned consumers to keep up the pressure on decision makers…and remain optimistic.
The current ‘state’ of state GMO labeling
You see, one by one, states have been introducing and enacting legislation in response to consumers demanding the right to know what’s in their food. Support has grown…and the GMO labeling movement is gaining momentum. Legal battles are becoming a very expensive headache for both the GMA and the biotech industry. Plus, many brand name foods are suffering bad publicity as companies try to hide GMO ingredients against the public’s demand for transparency.
To put it mildly, the state-by-state grassroots movement has the GMA and its cronies on the run. And, is the main reason for their latest federal scheme to derail the growing success among state GMO labeling initiatives.
Now, there’s even more reason for GMO labeling proponents to stay the course. Despite Big Food’s continued efforts to deceive, consumers aren’t buying it. Numerous polls like this one continue to show strong support for transparency, with more than 9 out of 10 Americans favoring the labeling of GMO foods.
Finally, states are beginning to listen to consumers.
For example, earlier last year, representatives in both Maine and Connecticut led the charge by beating back fierce industry lobbying to pass GMO food labeling legislation. And now, both governors recently signed those bills into law.
Of course…these successful GMO-labeling initiatives came on the heels of two disappointing, extremely high-profile yet very narrow losses in California (December 2012) and Washington state (November 2013). Still, these latest victories are a good sign that the GE food labeling movement is becoming better organized, politically savvy, and battle hardened against an industry that lies, cheats, and steals its way to victory.
In fact, similar propositions are gaining steam in Oregon and Colorado. And, state legislatures in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts are currently weighing in on GMO labeling bills. At last check—according to the National Conference of State Legislatures—nearly 30 states currently have proposed legislation requiring genetically modified foods be labeled.
Until labeling GMO foods becomes law of the land…
There are some simple ways you can support the movement to label GE foods.
Always buy organic products. Cut out processed foods as much as possible. To help you avoid GMO foods at the supermarket, check out EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Avoiding GE Food. Plus, the Organic Consumer’s Association (OCA) has put together some simple GMO talking points you can use when debating the dangers of genetic engineering.
Additionally, this resource makes it easy to stay on top of your state’s GMO labeling status. Lastly, the EWG makes it easy for you to tell your Congressional representatives to reject the food industry’s ridiculous federal proposal to block states from requiring GMO labeling.
If you’ve been in the trenches of the GE labeling debate, please share your experiences with us in the comment section below.