Ahead of Super Bowl XLIX, GMO Inside Urges Sabra, Official Hummus of NFL, to Pass on GMOs

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Green America's GMO Inside campaign announced on Thursday a major new push to get Sabra, the world's largest manufacturer of hummus, to drop genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from its popular hummus dip. GMO Inside and allies will mobilize public pressure on Sabra with a call-in day of action, a petition, social media outreach and other steps. The campaign comes just one week before Super Bowl XLIX, which will prominently feature Sabra as the official hummus of the NFL.

Green America's GMO Inside campaign is also demanding that Sabra's parent company, PepsiCo, end its multi-million dollar funding of anti-GMO labeling campaigns around the country. Most recently, PepsiCo. spent $4 million to fight GMO labeling initiatives in Oregon and Colorado, and over $8 million in total fighting labeling.

To date, over 13,000 consumers have signed GMO Inside's petition urging Sabra and PepsiCo to go non-GMO and for PepsiCo to certify Sabra products through a third party non-GMO-verification. Information about Green America's GMO Inside campaign is available online at http://gmoinside.org/sabra/.

"Consumer demand for organic and non-GMO foods is growing," said John W. Roulac, GMO Inside co-chair.  "Sabra has already moved some of its products to non-GMO, doing the same for its signature dip will allow the firm to meet growing customer demand."

"Consumers are upset that Sabra's parent company PepsiCo has spent a total of $8.6 million to deny them their right to know about GMOs," stated Nicole McCann, campaign director of Green America's GMO Inside. "As awareness grows about the risks of GMOs, consumers are shifting their support away from companies and brands contributing to anti-labeling efforts, as well as products containing GMO ingredients."

"By continuing to use genetically engineered soybean oil, produced with toxic pesticides that put humans, pollinators, and the planet at risk, Sabra is supporting an unsustainable food system that largely benefits big chemical and agribusiness corporations," said Lisa Archer, food and technology program director at Friends of the Earth.

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA'S GMO INSIDE

Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Co-op America) provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses, investors, and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. http://www.greenamerica.org.

GMO Inside is a campaign dedicated to helping all Americans know which foods have GMOs inside, and the non-GMO verified and organic certified alternatives to genetically engineered foods. We believe that everyone has a right to know what's in their food and to choose foods that are proven safe for themselves, their families, and the environment. GMO Inside gives people information and tools, and provides a place for a growing community of people from all walks of life, to share information and actions around genetically engineered foods. Join the campaign at www.gmoinside.org, and take part in the GMO Inside community on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Green America; GMO Inside

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