In recent news making waves in the nutrition world, Campbell�s Soup Company has announced that it will become the first major food manufacturer to disclose ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO�s) on their labels.
Not only that, but the food giant is calling for federal standards to create mandatory labeling on all foods that contain GMO�s, something advocacy groups like the Non-GMO Project have been working towards for years with much opposition from most food companies and manufacturers of GMO foods, like Monsanto and Bayer.
So what�s the deal with GMO�s and why is this news a potential game-changer in our food system?
GMO�s are created in a lab through artificial manipulation or engineering in ways that do not occur naturally or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
It�s basically a new form of science that creates potentially unstable plant, animal, viral, or bacterial genes, the long-term effects of which are still not fully understood. And while many organizations claim that GMO�s are safe, there is still a lack of true consensus in the scientific community.
Those who oppose the use of GMO�s site animal studies that show harmful effects such as organ damage, reproductive disorders, and chronic illness, as well as environmental evidence showing a decrease in bio-diversity and an increase in pollution and pesticide use.
But the debate here isn�t really about whether GMO�s are safe for consumption, it�s about whether food labels should indicate if a food was created through the agricultural process of genetic modification.
The true question is this: should consumers be informed about the presence of GMO�s in food?
An overwhelming majority (93%) of consumers say yes, and Campbell�s Soup Company agrees. The change is expected to take 12-18 months and will affect a wide range of food products beyond soup! Whether this will result in a loss of sales or an appreciation of transparency has yet to be seen, but one thing is clear: this move takes us all closer to making more informed decisions when it comes to personal health and nutrition.
Where do you stand on this decision regarding labeling GMO�s? Please share in the comments below!