Thursday, September 27, 2012

Vote YES on California Proposition 37

Yes on 37 merchandise

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Looking for Yes on 37 merchandise? Please visit our Yes on Proposition 37 CafePress shop for yard signs, bumper stickers, t-shirts and more.
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Here in California, we're used to leading the nation when it comes to cutting edge laws that protect people. A very important issue that will be on November's ballot is Proposition 37. Its basic purpose is very simple: require manufacturers to label food products containing GMO (genetically modified organisms). From Wikipedia's page on prop 37:

The long-form summary for Proposition 37 says:

* 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.

So why do some people oppose prop 37? Good question! In my [not terribly humble] opinion, it seems that the only folks who oppose it have something to hide. In other words, they're adding GMO to their food products and don't want to say so. They're afraid that if consumers can plainly see that information on the labels, they'll buy some other brand that doesn't contain that crap.

Why should we care about GMO? Why should we want disclosure on labels when a product contains GMO? Because GMO are bad things with far-reaching consequences.

Are you aware that bees are disappearing at alarming rates? Well, they are, and their disappearance has been tied to crops containing GMO. Do a little research on "colony collapse disorder" to learn more about how this works.

Here's a very brief summary of one aspect of this issue, from California Right to Know:

Example: Genetically Modified corn has been engineered in a laboratory to produce pesticides in its own tissue. GMO corn is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an Insecticide, but is sold unlabeled. [EPA Pesticides]. Walmart is now selling Monsanto's sweet corn that has been genetically engineered to contain an insecticide, but consumers don't know because it's not labeled.

Please join me in voting Yes on 37, because Californians want to know what's in our food. Show your support of proposition 37 with bumper stickers, yard signs, t-shirts and more from our Yes on Proposition 37 CafePress shop.

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