The Americans don't know what to invent to sell their GMO products anymore....they have fallen on their faces!
In the US The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) informed in its letter to the US Food and Drug Administration last month that it plans to ask the agency early this year to allow the labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms as "natural". Known as the "Big Food" organization, GMA represents companies such as Coca-Cola Co. ConAgra Foods , Bayer CropScience and more than 300 others.
Prosecution for labelling errors
According to the GMA letter, grocery manufacturers are currently facing 65 lawsuits revolving around whether or not foods containing GMOs can be labeled as "natural." Many recent lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements for consumers who felt they were misled by the mislabeling of manufacturers' products. No correct definition of "natural" foods is currently given by the FDA.
Local regulations
At least 26 states have considered GM food labeling legislation. Activists in Maine, Connecticut and Vermont have had partial success in promoting mandatory GMO labels on genetically engineered products. GMA wants a federal regulation that would kill these local laws.
GMO Opponents Speak Out
The change has caused a lot of outrage from natural food supporters. "Genetic engineering, by definition, is not a natural process," said Colin O'Neil, director of government affairs at the Center for Food Safety. "It is an artificial process, which often involves the insertion (often bacterial) of foreign genetic material into a food plant, animal or plant. "
There are several organizations that support consumer awareness when it comes to biotechnology. GMO Inside, for example, states that GMO foods are already labeled in over 60 countries, and they are lobbying for GMO labeling in the United States. "If companies won't label GMO foods, then we consumers will," is the group's motto. It encourages consumers to print "May contain genetically modified ingredients" free labels. While these can only be used on products in grocery stores, people can put them on anything that has already been acquired, such as their own groceries, or food at picnics or work meetings.