The US House of Representatives is on track for a vote this week on the DARK Act. Here’s what this legislation would do –
The “Denying Americans the Right-to-Know” (DARK) Act would:
- Preempt states from requiring labeling of GMO food.
- Preempt states from regulating GMO crops to protect public health and the environment.
- Virtually eliminate FDA’s ability to craft a national GMO labeling system.
- Codify the current, broken voluntary labeling system.
- Create a GMO “safety” review system based on industry science.
- Allow “natural” foods to contain GMO ingredients.
Americans want the Right to Know:
- Polls show 90% of Americans support labeling of GMO food.
- Bogus “natural” claims have created enormous consumer confusion about GMOs.
- 64 nations require labeling including Russia, China, the EU, and important trading partners in Asia.
- More than 1.4 million Americans have joined a petition urging FDA to require labeling of GMO food.
- Hundreds of food companies urged President Obama to honor his pledge to require GMO labeling.
Dispelling GMO Labeling Myths:
- GMO labeling will not increase food prices. Companies frequently change labels to highlight new innovations.
- Voluntary labeling will not work. Companies have been allowed to make voluntary non-GMO disclosures since 2001, but consumers are more confused than ever.
- GMO crops do not feed the world. Conventional
and GMO corn and soybean yields have increased at the same rate. What’s
more, U.S. farmers produce only 4% of rice, wheat, fruits, and
vegetables, and most US corn and soybeans are used for animal feed and
ethanol, not food.
- GMO crops have increased herbicide applications. Expanding
the use of GMO crops has increased annual applications of glyphosate – a
probable human carcinogen – from 16 million pounds to more than 280
million pounds.
- GMO crops have led to more toxic herbicides. As
weeds have become resistant to glyphosate, farmers have turned to more
toxic weed killers linked to cancer, Parkinson’s disease and
reproductive problems.
- GMO crops have not reduced soil erosion.
Adoption of soil-conserving farm practices were made in response to
“conservation compliance” provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill, not GMO
crops.
Americans need to tell their members of Congress to stop the DARK Act
from becoming law and demand support for mandatory GMO labeling. Contact your US Representative TODAY!!
SunRidge Farms supports mandatory GMO labeling because we believe you should know what is in your food.