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Major Push to Get GMOs Labeled Has Begun – Right2Know March Scheduled for Early October

Many governments around the world, including England, Europe, Japan and Australia, understand the risks of genetically-modified food (GMOs) and require that the package labels of this food contain the words “Made with Genetically-Engineered Ingredients.”

In the U.S., however, it is a very different story.

Politicians have been completely beholden to Big Ag, who have convinced them that GMOs are just like any other plant and that they are safe. Therefore, the labeling of GMOs is not necessary.

Yet, this is absurd. Food that has been genetically-altered, via the insertion of viruses or bacteria into the seeds, is categorically not the same as organically-grown food.

A recent poll by msnbc.com said that 96% of Americans want GMOs to be labeled, and organic leaders obviously feel the same way.

Katherine DiMatteo, Right2Know March organizer and President of IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) says that:

“It’s time to demand that the government be responsible to its citizens and enact mandatory labeling of GMOs instead of pretending that GMO crops are the same as traditional crops. While most Americans agree we have a right to know what is in our food, the federal government has resisted labeling genetically-engineered food for over a decade.”

THE MARCH

In the beginning of October, a nationwide event called the Right2Know March will take place in order to raise awareness of the importance of GMO labeling.

Participants are expected to walk part or all of the 313-mile march, which begins in New York City and ends in Washington D.C. It will pass through a large number of East Coast cities and towns including:

  • New York: Brooklyn, New York City
  • New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Millburn, Union, Springfield, Scotch Plains, New Brunswick, Princeton
  • Pennsylvania: Morrisville, Trevose, Jenkintown, Philadelphia, Springfield
  • Delaware: Wilmington, Hockessin, Newark
  • Maryland: Darlington, Monkton, Timonium, Baltimore, Elicott City, Jessup, Laurel, College Park, Takoma Park, and Washington, DC.

Early supporting organizations include the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM), Non-GMO Project, Center for Food Safety, Food Democracy Now, National Co-operative Grocer Association, Organic Trade Association, The Organic Center, the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA), Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and the Northeast Organic Farmers Association of NY.

Business sponsors include Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Kamut International, Nutiva, Nature’s Path Foods, Inc., Organic Valley, Rapunzel, Stonyfield Farm, and United Natural Foods Inc.

I hope you’ll participate in the Right2Know March since we need as many people as possible to support this important issue. Also, make sure that you sign-up for the Right2Know March newsletter.

Thanks so much for your support, and please spread the word about the Right2Know March. It is greatly appreciated.

A message from Tradin Organic

Why Tradin Organic is Prioritizing Regenerative Organic Farming

At Tradin Organic, we believe that regenerative organic farming is key to growing healthy and nutritious food ingredients — for now and for future generations.

And in Sierra Leone, we have grown the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified cacao.

Learn more.

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