New "GMO Inside" Campaign Denounces Corporate Disinformation Campaign That Defeated California's Prop 37

Groups Launch National Initiative To Help All Americans Take Action On Genetically Engineered Foods 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new coalition, focused on the right to know whether or not foods are genetically engineered, today denounced the millions of dollars poured into anti-Prop 37 efforts by major corporations. The corporate campaign, financed by agribusiness, food and chemical giants such as Monsanto, Dupont, Dow, Coca Cola and Kellogg's, was designed to misinform and deceive the public about the cost of labeling.

"Corporations may have misled voters in California about GMOs, but they can't change the fact that over 90 percent of Americans support the labeling of foods with genetically engineered ingredients," said Alisa Gravitz, CEO of Green America. "The GMO Inside campaign will make it possible for all Americans to find GMOs in the food products in their homes and communities, label them, and switch to non-GMO foods instead.  The campaign will show corporations that people will not complacently serve as lab rats for the testing of genetically engineered foods."

"We are disappointed but not deterred by this defeat," said John W. Roulac, CEO and founder of Nutiva—world's leading organic superfood brand. "GMO Inside was created to catapult the energy from the fight for Prop 37 to the next level. Our goal is to bring greater awareness to consumers nationwide about the dangers of GMOs and educate on what they can do to make a change."

The GMO Inside campaign launched today on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/GMOInside; Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/GMOInside; and Pinterest, http://www.pinterest.com/GMOInside, and is signing up supporters at www.GMOinside.org.  GMO Inside steering committee members include Food Democracy Now!, Green America, Institute for Responsible Technology, Foodbabe, Nature's Path and Nutiva.

The GMO Inside campaign will provide Americans with actions they can take in their homes, grocery stores, and communities to call attention to genetically engineered foods.  It will provide tools and resources for Americans to find the GMOs in a wide-range of products and brands on grocery shelves, and give people organic and non-GMO alternatives. It will also create communities of people who are concerned about GMOs and who will support each others' efforts to label GMOs and avoid products containing them.

ABOUT GMOS

According to the Non GMO Project, http://www.nongmoproject.org, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals created through the process of genetic engineering. This experimental technology forces DNA from one species into a different species. The resulting GMOs are unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional breeding.

Almost all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers' and consumers' rights.

GMO Inside believes that all U.S. citizens have the right to know what is in the food they eat.  Genetically engineered foods have not been adequately tested for human consumption.  It is unethical to put an experimental technology into the food Americans feed their families without providing information on the label that allows Americans to choose whether or not their food contains GMOs. Americans deserve to know if there are GMOs inside.

Nearly 50 countries require labels on GMOs, including Australia, Japan, China, Russia and all of the countries in the European Union.  Many of these countries also have restrictions or bans on GMO food production or sale.  GMO Inside believes we deserve the same level of protection and information as citizens in other nations around the world.  That's why GMO Inside is launching this campaign to allow people to identify and label food products with GMOs inside.

ABOUT GMO INSIDE: STEERING COMMITTEE

Food Democracy Now! is a grassroots community dedicated to building a sustainable food system that protects our natural environment, sustains farmers and nourishes families. Food Democracy Now! members know we can build a food system that gives our communities equal access to healthy food, and respects the dignity of the farmers who produce it. We believe in recreating regional food systems, supporting the growth of humane, natural and organic farms, and protecting the environment.

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. www.GreenAmerica.org

Institute for Responsible Technology, Jeffrey M. Smith. Smith is an international bestselling author and the leading spokesperson on the health dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). He documents how the world's most powerful Ag biotech companies bluff and mislead critics, and put the health of society at risk. In 2003, he founded the Institute for Responsible Technology, a world leader in educating policy makers and the public about genetically modified (GM) foods and crops.

Nature's Path Organic Foods, the number one organic cereal manufacturer in North America, is family-run, fiercely independent and always organic, with the mission of being a trusted name for quality organic foods in every home – socially responsible, environmentally sustainable and financially viable. Nature's Path products are USDA certified organic and bear the Non-GMO Project Verified Seal. Nature's Path produces breakfast foods and snacks sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in over 42 countries worldwide.  The company's innovative brands include Nature's Path®, EnviroKidz®, and Love Crunch®.  Visit Nature's Path online at www.naturespath.com and www.facebook.com/naturespath and on twitter: @naturespath and @envirokidz. 

Nutiva® is dedicated to a healthy and sustainable world, demonstrating its mission to nourish people and planet by using delicious organic ingredients, enriching the soil, and donating 1 percent of sales to sustainable-agriculture groups. Founded in 1999, Nutiva is the world's best-selling brand of nutritious organic hemp foods, extra-virgin coconut oil, and chia seeds. Fifteen thousand retailers in the United States, Canada, and the European Union offer Nutivaproducts, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, Publix, Safeway, Loblaws, and Amazon.com. Nutiva is located in Richmond, California. For more information, visit www.nutiva.com.

Vani Hari is a management consultant, food activist writer and a two time elected North Carolina delegate, endorsed by President Obama. Vani started foodbabe.com in April 2011 to spread information about what is really in the American food supply. She teaches people how to make the right purchasing decisions at the grocery store, how to live an organic lifestyle, and how to travel healthfully around the world. The success in her writing and investigative work can be seen in the way food companies react to her uncanny ability to find and expose the truth. She been featured in the Washington Times, NY Times, Lawyers Weekly, Prevention.com, NBC - WCNC, ABC - WLOS, and profiled in Charlotte Observer.

SOURCE Green America, Washington, D.C.

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