Yes on Prop 37 is More Important than the Presidential Vote
I’ll be the first to admit that we aren’t a 100% GMO free family.
I want to be and I try. I really do. We limit our GMOs but it can be a pain.
It’s a pain because my kids are older now. They have their own likes and dislikes which are important to respect. It’s easy to have Nazi control over a three year old’s diet. A 13 year old? Not so much. I gotta pick and choose my battles and battling over tortillas is not one I choose.
Right now there are three ways to avoid GMOs:
- Avoid all GMO containing foods by avoiding all processed foods. Even then it’s not an guarantee as Walmart sells GMO corn.
- Buy organic. However organic is not always an option. Take the corn tortillas my boys love so much. Unless organic tortillas are available then they are probably getting GMOs and whole bunch of other junk but at least I know what that other junk is because it’s on the label. Not too mention that not every family can afford organic.
- Turn your grocery list into a research paper by looking up every company that you intend buy products from and see where they get their ingredients.
There has to be an easier way to grocery shop and soon there may be if Prop 37 passes.
In case you are unfamiliar, Prop 37 is the CA Right to Know Act. If passed it would require companies to put a labels on foods containing GMOs.
From the official CA Voters Guide
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS. LABELING. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
- Requires labeling on raw or processed food offered for sale to consumers if made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways.
- Prohibits labeling or advertising such food, or other processed food, as “natural.”
- Exempts foods that are: certified organic; unintentionally produced with genetically engineered material; made from animals fed or injected with genetically engineered material but not genetically engineered themselves; processed with or containing only small amounts of genetically engineered ingredients; administered for treatment of medical conditions; sold for immediate consumption such as in a restaurant; or alcoholic beverages.
Opponents of Prop 37 cite scientific evidence that GMOs have been used for decades without harm so there is no need to label them.
Advocates of Prop 37 say the jury is still out on the safety of GMOs and cite studies linking GMOs to health problems.
Either way shouldn’t we as consumers have a right to know what is in our food?
Opponents of Prop 37 say it’s going to increase families grocery bills by a few hundred dollars per year.
Advocates of Prop 37 say that is untrue.
Food manufacturers are already required to list the ingredients so why not include GMOs. Shouldn’t we be able to know we are eating something that is regulated as an insecticide?
After all Prop 37 doesn’t “ban” any foods. It simply states consumers have the right to know what is in their foods.
Even if it were to increase the cost a little bit, we’ve all seen and experienced to some degree to results of cheap food. Last I checked transfats and HFCS (high fructose corn syrups), all designed to keep food production costs down, didn’t do anyone any favors.
Let’s take a look at the companies voting YES on prop 37: Annies, Applegate, Clif Bar and Company, Whole Foods, Nature’s Paths, and more. Many more. Check out this list for companies and organizations that support prop 37.
Now let’s look at the the companies against prop 37: Kraft Foods, Dupont, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestle, Kelloggs, and Monsanto.
Hmmmm?
Like the Organic Consumers Association says it’s like David versus Goliath.
There are reports that the Goliath companies are spending upwards of a million dollars a day on advertising to fight GMO labeling. If they are so convinced GMOs are 100% safe why the need for this a mass fight against David? Shouldn’t science speak for itself?
Here is the thing. There are rational arguments for GMO’s and rational arguments against GMOs.
But
There is not a rational arguement as to why we shouldn’t know what we are eating.
No one is saying we can’t eat GMO foods or saying corporations can’t sell GMO food. It’s just saying that we have a right to know what is in our food.
I don’t usually publicly delve into politics. I don’t side with either major party. For the record, I’m registered independent and voted Libertarian this year.
But I’m stepping out of my comfort zone because voting yes on Prop 37 is important. It’s equally, if not more important, than the vote for president.
We eat every day multiple times a day. This doesn’t change no matter who is elected as president. No matter who takes office these rules will continue benefit you and me for years to come.
Although this is California proposition, California due to it’s size often sets the precedent for the rest of the country.
I also don’t usually make request but it’s coming down to the wire and we all need to step up to make our voices heard. I urge you to share the one thing that is clear: we have a right to know what is is our food. Please consider sharing the following pages and/or video with your family and friends.
California Right to Know Facts
There is still time to make a difference. Monsanto and Dupont have poured millions of dollars into advertising to try and scare the unknowing consumer. Let’s not go down without a fight.
Because…
I don’t know about you but I’m not comfortable with my children being guinea pigs.
How do you feel about Prop 37? Yes? No? GMOs? (That rhymes!) Any good videos, posts, or websites to share?
I promise I won’t be getting political again anytime too soon. 😉
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
Keep up with my kettlebell workouts, real food recipes, and more in one of three ways! 1. Sign up to have posts emailed to your inbox. 2. Subscribe to the RSS Feed or 3. “like” Girl Heroes on Facebook. Simple dimple!
Journey with our family on the road at New School Nomads as we travel fulltime in RV through the United States!
Pin It
This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
Done and did
Yeah yeah!!!! xo
I think saying this is more important than a presidential vote is a massive overkill but it is an extremely important issue. I don’t understand why any consumers would vote ‘no’ to this?
It is a bit of an overkill.
On the other hand it gave me hope that our voices could still make a difference. In other words, had it passed it would have given me hope that the people can speak louder than the corporate voice. Unfortunately, it appears Monsanto still owns the people as it does Washington.
Can’t believe this didn’t pass! All that big money from AgriBusiness did the job, I guess. Maybe, as time goes on, more people will become aware and we’ll get the labeling.
I know. It was very disheartening. I’m with you and trying to see the silver lining in this big disappointment.