Debates heat up over California’s Prop. 37

As the November election approaches, activists have ramped up their campaigning efforts for the controversial Proposition 37. As reported by this blog, this legislation would require manufacturers and producers who sell food products in California with genetically modified ingredients to label them as such. Most recently, those in support of the proposition have unveiled a $150,000 television advertisement.

The ad is 30-seconds long and will run in select online news venues and broadcast stations in the major California markets for 10 days. The ad presents “the history of notoriously inaccurate corporate health claims,” according to the California Right to Know Campaign.

“In addition to their history of false health claims about DDT, Agent Orange and tobacco, the same corporations and political operatives are making false claims about the safety of genetically engineered food – even though numerous studies link these foods to allergies and other health risks, as well as to significant environmental problems,” said California Right to Know media director Stacy Malkan.

But, in a recent San Francisco Gate opinion piece, Henry Miller, the founding director of the Office of Biotechnology at the Food and Drug Administration, says that while the intent may be good, the proposition itself is written in a way that creates a new bureaucracy and is riddled with loopholes, hidden costs and will, ultimately, result in higher grocery bills.

According to Miller, Prop. 37 requires special labels on soy milk, but exempts dairy products despite the fact that cows are often fed with genetically engineered grain. Alcohol is exempt even though it’s often made from genetically modified ingredients, as well. Pet foods that contain meat will require labels, whereas meat suitable for humans is exempt.

While the outcome won’t be determined until November, producers and manufacturers that sell or are based in the California area may want to invest in color label printers that can create these potential custom labels.To do so, companies may want to purchase a Primera LX400 color label printer.