Green America: Major Step Forward Seen In Campbell's Support For National Mandatory GMO Labeling Standard, Voluntary Labeling Of Products In Absence Of Standard

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Green America congratulates the Campbell Soup Company on its support of federal legislation to establish a single mandatory labeling standard for foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and its move to voluntarily disclose the presence of GMOs in all its foods in the absence of such a standard.

Green America also lauded Campbell's for withdrawing its support from the efforts of groups working to oppose federal GMO labeling, such as the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

"This announcement is a major victory for consumers and sets Campbell's apart from many of its industry peers. 92 percent of Americans support GMO labeling, so Campbell's commitment to transparency in its ingredients will be warmly welcomed by U.S. consumers," said Elizabeth O'Connell, director of consumer advocacy for Green America. "Campbell's is going far beyond any of its competitors to support the people's Right to Know what's in their food."

GMO labeling is now required in Vermont, where Campbell's has introduced packaging that discloses if a product contains GMO ingredients. Campbell's announced that if a federal labeling standard could not be agreed to, the company was prepared to label all of its U.S. products for the presence of GMO ingredients.

"Campbell's decision to withdraw its support from anti-labeling efforts and voluntarily disclose its GMO ingredients on its packaging sets the company apart from other consumer packaged goods companies," said Todd Larsen, co-executive director of Green America. "Other companies should take note of consumer preference and follow Campbell's lead in disclosing GMOs."

While there are no rules on how to label GMOs at the moment, to further consumer awareness, Green America believes that labeling should disclose which ingredients were genetically engineered, such as corn or sugar, not just the presence of GMOs. Green America encourages all companies to engage in ingredient-by-ingredient disclosure.

In 2015, Campbell's announced new lines of organic soups that contained no GMOs and also announced it would remove MSG from its soups, as well as organic wheat versions of its iconic Goldfish crackers. Green America welcomed these announcements and believes the company can further its position as a sustainability leader by removing all GMO ingredients from its products. 

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA
Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org.

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