It's a Story About $$ - Not Consumer Choice

The Oregon Vote on Genetically Modified Food Labeling is clearly a story about money. $5 million was spent on advertising in Oregon directly to shoppers telling them how this legislation would increase their own costs by $550 per year, how farmers may lose their livelihood, how supermarket managers would get boggled in red tape along with having Doctors reassure them that GMOs are safe. The pro-labeling group spent about $200,000. The reality is, that according to an independent study at Oregon State, the consumer's costs would actually be between $3 and $10 a year; costs consistent with what has occurred in other countries with the same legislation.

There is no doubt in my mind that it would have been very interesting (and telling) to see just what the result would have been had this ballot measure not had the influence and funding of the biotech companies and Grocery Manufactures of America. The tally at the time of this writing is that the 30% of voters were in favor of the measure - a substantial percentage based on the anti-labeling efforts. This issue is far from over, and I would agree with the FDA that this is a Federal issue and not one for the states to decide. Expect a lull in progress based on the recent elections, but the buzz is that this will resurface just in time for the 2004 elections.

All the consumer panels on SupermarketGuru.com that we have conducted have shown that consumers do want the right to choose, i.e., labeling of GMOs. However, what is important to note is that the results on whether or not shoppers would consumer - or are concerned about GMOs - is running about 50/50. Bottom line is YES on labeling and let people make the choice. The discussion that says that since 70% of our foods contain GMOs and that if these products carry a "GMO inside" label that no one would buy them is simply not true. Have people stopped buying those foods that are high in fat because they have then information, in this case, unfortunately not.

This fight for labeling is far from over - but it should be played out on a national platform, not at state level. It's easy to spend a bit of money in a single state to effect the outcome - much more difficult and expensive nationwide.

In the meantime, look for organics to become more important as the organic brands re-emphasize their "no GMO" status and regulations.