Remember how roughly two weeks ago… I wrote a blog post on genetically modified foods (GMOs)?
No doubt there are GMOs in this Chick-Fil-A Burger!
Well… Today I want to continue my rant but this time not as much from my perspective… But from my sister’s point of view.
You see… She just popped her first child out (ouch!) and as a new mother, she wants the absolute best for her baby.
Check out this little burrito!
One of the things my sister wants to have control over is what she feeds her mini me. She wants to feed my niece the most nutrient dense and safest foods available.
Lets make this labeling HAPPEN!
My sister has read all about GMOs. If you can recall from the last blog post I wrote… GMOs are experimental plants that have been genetically engineered in a laboratory with DNA from other plants. Seed producers use this technology to either modify their seeds to make them more resistant to their brand of herbicide or modify their seeds to contain built-in pesticides.
These tomatoes need drug rehab!
Based on her research… My sister has decided she would much prefer not feeding her baby girl GMO foods because of the risk of allergies that seem to run in our family (remember the picture of my allergic reaction?) and the fact that GMO foods have not been proven absolutely safe!
She feels strongly that the long-term consequences for the health of her child, and my little niece, have not been adequately investigated.
From my reading on this subject… I realize that my sister is far from alone in her wishes for the very best for her child. Best-selling author Anna Lappe, for example, reports that…
Mothers are increasingly concerned about their children’s exposure to chemicals and rightfully so.”
As matter of fact… A recent poll reported that 81% of mothers surveyed, showed that they would be less likely to purchase brand products if they found out that a company was using GMO food ingredients that contribute to the increased use of toxic pesticides.
I want to know WTF I am eating… K, thanks!Â
Hopefully these types of polls will soon become a real problem for companies that cater to consumers like my sister…
For example… On that same poll I mentioned above… Almost 93% of mothers wanted Quaker specifically to label GMOs and 80% wanted Quaker to stop funding anti-GMO labeling efforts.
According to Gary Hirshberg… The chairman of the Just Label It campaign and co-founder of Stonyfield Farm, if companies like Quaker continue to refuse to label their foods (GMO/GMO free) they will lose the trust of their most loyal customers… Ahem, mothers… Like my sister (and perhaps you?).
This will certainly affect their bottom line!
They see me strollin’… They hatin’…
The good news is that the word is getting out there! One hundred and thirty-five companies across the country including Chipotle now support mandatory labeling of GMOs as members of the Just Label It campaign. This campaign (and my sister) needs your support to add Quaker to that ever expanding list of wonderful companies that support GMO labeling!
This list is GROWING thanks to everyone’s help!
To help with that… My sister as a new mother who wants the best for her child, strongly urges you to add your name to a petition calling for Quaker and PepsiCo to support a federal law that would make GMO labeling mandatory.
I will leave you with one more quote from Anna Lappe…
“It should be my decision whether or not to feed my children foods produced with GMOs. I can do that if they are labeled organic, but otherwise the only way I’ll know whether a food contains GMOs is if it’s labeled.”
My sister certainly agrees… As should you!Â
Please Sign The Petition asking Quaker to support mandatory FDA labeling of GMOs (and to stop funding anti-mandatory labeling efforts.
Also… Take a minute to check out and follow…Â
The Just Label It Facebook Page
The Just Label It Twitter Feed
You can also show your support by tweeting, using the hashtag #ConcealOrReveal letting our government know how you feel about the DARK act and GMO labeling! I have your back… Here are some sample tweet:
- I’m joining @JustLabelIt’s effort asking companies to tell @WhiteHouse we need mandatory labeling for GMOs!http://www.justlabelit.org/action-center/take-action/
- DARK Act will keep us in the dark about our food. We need mandatory labeling of GMOs, @WhiteHouse! #JustLabelIt http://www.justlabelit.org/action-center/take-action-congress/
- I have a right to know what I feed my kids. @Quaker will you #ConcealOrReveal? Support mandatory GMO labeling! www.justlabelit.org/quaker
- Join me in telling @Quaker to #ConcealOrReveal & support mandatory GMO labeling! #JustLabelItwww.justlabelit.org/quaker
So Tell Me…
- Do you care what you and your children eat?
- Will you be signing the petition so we can know what we’re eating?
- Did you eat Quaker Oatmeal this morning?
- Why do you think food companies are so damn shady?
- What one TERRIBLY UNHEALTHY food can you just NOT get out of your life?
- What advice do you have for my sister who is officially a FIRST TIME/NEW MOM??
