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When Congress Screws Us Over On GMO Labeling : The Action Plan To Fight Back!

Update: July 29th, 2016 – President Obama has signed this bill and it is now law. 

The Senate voted 63-30 on July 7th, 2016 in favor of a sham GMO labeling bill that stops Vermont’s GMO labeling laws and allows companies to use QR codes instead of words on the package. It discriminates against low income families, minorities, mothers, seniors, the disabled & those without smartphones. The bill is now moving onto the House, and at this point, it appears very likely that it will pass sometime this week, probably today. I know you are upset, I am too. Here’s your 4 step action plan to fight back!

Congress

They claim this is an acceptable “GMO label” – but it’s clearly not!

QR code GMO label Dark Act

Photo Credit: Consumers Union

There are further questions about whether most GMOs on the market will even be covered by the law because of the tricky language they used to define “bioengineering” – ingredients like soybean oil from Roundup Ready soy and sugar from GMO sugar beets probably won’t be included in the disclosure! Companies also won’t be held liable or get penalized if they don’t comply, so why should they even bother labeling their products accurately?

This bill was clearly written to protect Monsanto, the agrochemical and GMO industries and is a slap in the face of American consumers. Almost ALL OF US want GMOs labeled and Americans are being denied a basic right that dozens of countries, including Russia and China, provide their citizens.

“It is deeply disturbing that a majority in the Senate would support a bill that openly discriminates against America’s low income, rural and elderly populations. This denies them their right to know simply because they are not able to afford or have access to smartphones. The bill itself is poorly drafted and would exempt many and perhaps most current genetically engineered foods from labeling. It was written behind closed doors between a handful of Senators and the big chemical and food companies. It is a non-labeling bill disguised as a labeling bill, a sham and a legislative embarrassment.” – Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director, Center for Food Safety

It is absolutely disgusting that our government leaders care more about the money they receive from corporations than the will of the American people.

Yet, are we really surprised? This is not the first time that the government has failed us. We have seen it time and time again. We can’t look to our government to protect us.

Our government agencies, the FDA, USDA, and EPA have all failed us on so many levels, allowing companies to use and produce dozens of synthetic food additives and agricultural chemicals that are banned or heavily restricted in countries with stronger regulations.

Whether this sham “GMO labeling” bill becomes law or not, we still have the power. Here’s your action plan:

1. Sign this petition to ask President Obama to veto the bill herePresident Obama signed the bill on July 29th, 2016 and it’s now law.

2. Spend your money on food companies that label their products clearly and avoid the covert QR codes and 1-800 numbers. 

Every single time we spend money on food at the grocery store, farmer’s market, or in a restaurant, we are voting for what we want. Voting with our dollars and hitting the bottom line of the food companies is the best way to get their attention and force change. We’ve got to hit ’em where it hurts! That is their pocketbook. The simple act of voting with our dollars filters down into everyone that is producing our food. Those who are doing the right things will be rewarded – and those that are not will either change their ways or suffer the consequences. Collectively, we have been able to dramatically shape the marketplace into one that is increasing in supply of organic and non-GMO foods, and it is only going to keep improving!  

Food companies should be scared to put a shady QR code on their products, because that is soon going to be a big shiny beacon that will make boycotting easy! 

The instant you see a QR code on a product, there is no need to scan it. Just the fact that a company is using a QR code is all the information you need to realize that they are a traitor and don’t want to tell you the truth about their food. This is a company that has bought off our politicians and was looking for a way out, and we see right through their BS. 

This is what the future holds for these companies (whether they realize it yet or not) and so now they have a very important choice to make.

This also goes for companies like Frito Lay, Campbell’s, General Mills, Mars, Kellogg’s and Lipton who have already started labeling the GMOs in their products. What choice will they make? You can bet I’ll be paying attention.

Going forward, it is as simple as this: QR Code = Put The Product Back Down & Run!

Leave the QR codes on the shelf, and they will pay attention! As always, I believe the safest food that you can buy for yourself and your family is organic. Certified organic food is prohibited from being produced with GMOs, synthetic pesticides are banned, and many of the drugs that are given to farm animals (hormones, antibiotics) are prohibited as well. However, consumers should not be forced to buy organic food to avoid GMOs. 

GMO labeling is about transparency and giving consumers a choice. 

Don’t we ALL deserve to know exactly what is in our food and how it was produced? Why shouldn’t American consumers be given GMO labels so they can make their own decisions about whether they want to buy food made with GMOs or not? If food companies support GMO technology, why wouldn’t they want to label products that contain them? Why don’t they consider it a badge of honor?

I will not stop raising awareness until everyone has access to safe and healthy food, with clear and accurate labeling.

3. If your local grocery stores do not sell clearly marked non-GMO and organic food, send them a letter like this and ask them to do so – they will carry what you want to buy. 

4. Last but not least – Remember, this is a revolution and we are winning!

If you want to be healthy you’ve got to take control!!! No government agency, big food company, or anyone else is going to do it for you. You can’t trust anyone but yourself.

They may be winning the GMO labeling battle, but WE are winning the war! Just look at what we have accomplished so far: 

  • In 2015, the organic food industry saw its biggest growth yet! Organic sales grew 10.8%, more than any other food sector.
  • The number of producers of organic food in the U.S. has grown nearly 300% since 2002, making it one of the fastest growing segments of agriculture. 

The big food and chemical companies HATE statistics like these.

They hate this because the writing is on the wall that they will continue to lose sales if they don’t remove GMOs from their products and move towards organic. The tipping point is upon us! 

I love each and every one of you that have continued to fight for GMO labeling along with me and other activists. The fight is not over yet, but just know that even if our lawmakers fail us, we can still hit them where it hurts and change is on the horizon. Onward! 

Xo, 

Vani

P.S. Here is the list of Senators that sold out and voted “YES” in favor of the sham GMO labeling bill, so you know who to vote out of office next:

Alexander (R-TN)
Ayotte (R-NH)
Baldwin (D-WI)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Brown (D-OH)
Burr (R-NC)
Capito (R-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Donnelly (D-IN)
Enzi (R-WY)
Ernst (R-IA)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Franken (D-MN)
Gardner (R-CO)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Heitkamp (D-ND)
Hirono (D-HI)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kaine (D-VA)
Kirk (R-IL)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Lankford (R-OK)
Manchin (D-WV)
McCain (R-AZ)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Moran (R-KS)
Nelson (D-FL)
Perdue (R-GA)
Peters (D-MI)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rounds (R-SD)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Shelby (R-AL)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Thune (R-SD)
Tillis (R-NC)
Toomey (R-PA)
Warner (D-VA)
Wicker (R-MS)

 

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105 responses to “When Congress Screws Us Over On GMO Labeling : The Action Plan To Fight Back!

  1. I will take note of my Michigan representatives who support this this terrible legislation and vote them out. I am registered as a republican but am truly an independent. I will be informed and voting to protect the interests of my family. It is clear that our representatives no longer truly represent the American people, but the corporations who fund their campaigns. I am truly awake now.

    1. Lorraine Shisler – GOOD MORNING! I’m proud to be the first to welcome you as an Independent Republican Thinker to the cause of keeping ALL families safe from the inherent dangers of Frankenfood.

  2. I’m all in. My senators will hear from me and anyone I can influence when I’m at the polls.

  3. I called my senators.. I am with you. Its our right and stepping on our right and a states right is bs. I am so tired of this stuff. I will vote with my dollars as I have been.

    Restaurants are trickier to navigate.. I will start to ask more questions about if its organic or not..

    1. This is an excellent idea, especially at some of the nicer sit-down restaurants. I can picture the waitstaff going back to the kitchen to ask the cook for the answer. A steady stream of questions from lots of people should alert the manager to how many people care about these things and are willing to pay more for organic.

      I found this out on a recent vacation when I had to ask “Do you have any gluten-free bread?” Most waitresses didn’t even know what I was talking about!

      1. I think that everyone interested in quality and healthy non GMO food should JUST ASK every time they purchase food from restaurants and stores. The questions for restaurants and take out should be “Are there any GMO ingredients in my meal?”, “Are there any GMO ingredients in my prepared food?”. For stores you should ask “Does this product contain any ingredients that are GMO?”. The key is to ask every time you buy food. If you don’t think the person knows what you are talking about, don’t worry. The key is to get employees to discuss it with upper management so that they can make different decisions.

      2. When eating out be sure to ask them what kind of oil they use in their salad dressings, when frying foods, on their pasta or when grilling their foods – if it is Canola Oil you will know that they probably do not use organic ingredients. Also be sure to ask whether or not they use butter or margarine – if they use margarine they do not use organic products more than likely. I try my best to stay away from all soy so it is very difficult for me to eat out. I always ask them if the Salmon is Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon which has been processed in the US or if it was processed in China and if the chicken is processed in the United States or in China. I would NEVER eat Atlantic Caught or farmed raised Salmon or Shrimp. I will tip them nicely if they do not get frustrated with me, if they do I will still tip them but they will remember our conversation for sure!!!

  4. I do vote with my purchases and I am glad more and more are as well. I have called and written Tim Scott R SC Yet he has not answered. I called him out clearly for accepting Monsanto Bribed called “donations”.
    Just another criminal politician bought by a big criminal corporation.

    1. I too vote with my purchases and I hope you all read this. The lack of labeling is not the real problem here. S.764 redefines what a gmo is. Watch the senate hearings. My understanding of what I witnessed is that once certain gmo crops are processed they are no longer considered gmo. This includes sugar beets, corn and soy in particular. This can mean that these products, deemed not gmo after processing could end up in organic foods. This is my own assumption and insight regarding being used in organic. I’m so pissed I’m ready to declare war. Honestly I’m looking for a new country. I’ve had it.

      1. I’ve often said that Ethiopia would be a utopia for you folks. No pesticides, no GMO, no preservatives or additives, no treated water, no vaccinations. Its got everything you want and more.

  5. I can’t believe Al Franken was among those who sold us out. There was a massive contact campaign to Diane Feinstein (perhaps the largest ever, one of her staff said) to reject this sham GMO labeling bill, but she voted for it anyway (actually changed her previous position to vote for it!).

    1. I know David, I was FLOORED as I was with Elizabeth Warren.
      Michelle Obam approved GMO’s for SCHOOL LUNCHES, Vani, did you know that!?
      This corrupt two faced bunch of schmucks!

      1. Not sure where you see Warren voted for this bill. She did not. Seeing others making similar mistakes here.

      2. Thank you Pat lee, my mistake, I’ll be sure and correct it if I see anyone else making the same mistake! 😉

    2. I sent a scathing email to Diane Feinstein telling her what I think of her selling out her constituency. Everyone should write to her and voice their displeasure and their intent to vote her out.

  6. What about Washington State Senators votes? I’ve been told they also voted for the Dark Act! Can anyone tell me?

      1. Pam, Contact me, I am a documentary filmmaker and follower. I have thought for about a year how great it would be to make a documentary about Vani. Even some shorts, just to post to YouTube in times of need – like this!
        I have a small team, super interns, and enormous drive, just like you all do.
        I am in ATL – email me and let’s talk.

  7. Whole Foods and Stonyfield Farms supported this bill as well, as did both of my senators. I will vote against them next election and, unfortunately, will boycott Whole Foods and Stonyfield.

    1. I’m with you Margaret B. I’m boycotting Whole Foods as well. I can’t believe Whole Foods sold out their customers to Monsanto!

      1. I am also boycotting the backstabbers Whole Foods and Stoneyfield, but VANI has yet to agree to this boycott, and instead points to the CEO’s back pedaling and denial. No denial will get me back in WF. Sad, but I’m lucky that I have other choices in my area. I also burned up the phones for weeks, but Traitor McConnell took over $3,373,000 from MonSATANo, so why would he support the people. THEY ARE ALL BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.

  8. Sherrod Brown (D-Oh) voted the right way last time but not this time. Big biotech must have gotten to him. I will remember this when he is up for re-election. I already buy mostly organic & non-GMO Project verified. No more money for these big companies who don’t want to label their GMO carp.

  9. Organic Consumers Association website has published a definitive list of how much money each Senator earned for their yes vote-so follow the $$$$ for any answers to where your Senator stands. There is no government that is of, by and for the people. It is now up to each person to be awake, aware and choose…..perhaps our collective will can bring forth what we are all asking for.

    1. I called several today and I wasn’t civil. It’s time to go all “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” on their asses and I told them today that very thing. Some Tar and Feathers and a ride out of Town on a rail. It is OUR HOUSE and it’s time to kick TRAITORS who continue to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the hard working American Families who they are to represent.
      The House have been talking all day long about Bill HR5538, and the protections for the Environment will be significant if it passes. They’ve been tacking on and voting on Amendments, I think they’re up to Amendment proposal 48 and it’s 11:30 pm est.
      They haven’t even They haven’t brought up StabUnow and Robbers, MonSatan’s Dream Dark Act Bill. They are all NUTS. They better not hear this tonight. Call and email all of them. Man, Elizabeth Warren!!!! She’s fracking lost her mind and soooo have all the rest of the 63.

      1. I meant to say the cuts to our environmental protections would be significant.

      2. wow this is the second time you are spreading lies about Warren here. She did NOT vote for the bill. Are you a Trump voter?

      3. I looked up Elizabeth Warren to see where confusion is. Evidently she supported Monsanto in 2013 by voting against GMO labeling as she did not support that bill as thought it would remove fda safety. She later stated she supports GMO labeling and did not vote for the dark act.

      4. Yes, I appoligized in the post above where you corrected me. Knowing that she had waffled before… my bad. She’s one that can blow with the wind.

    2. Janet, can you include a link that exposes the amount each senator received? I looked at the Organic Consumers Association, which led me to https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2015/07/three-times-as-much-agribusiness-money-on-average-for-house-members-voting-to-bar-gmo-labeling/
      But I could not locate one of my state’s senators who voted for it. I wanted to write her an email with specifics.
      Thanks to Vani, her team, and the Food Babe Army for continuing to educate and spread the most important messages of our time!! It would be helpful to link each senator’s name with their contact pages. Keep up the excellent work!

      1. I too would like that very much. So far I haven’t found a good link. They hide it well.
        We NEED that to be very well informed and Organized.

    1. Amazing that a celebrity like you can’t persuade either of her home state senators.

      1. Halle – It’s hard to have a voice over the millions of dollars both Senators Tillis and Burr received from agri and chemical corporations for their NC Senate campaigns. Here are the numbers – $437,750 For Tillis and $1,933,705 for Burr. Oh and nice to hear from you – I remember you and how you defended one the most disgusting unhealthy GMO oils in our food supply. Do you work in the industry? Just curious.

      2. Food Babe and Halle,
        Try as we might, contact with the so-called representatives will not work the way we think it should. This is because it’s not their job to respond in ways other than tyrannical oppression. This is because of who they really work for- who is NOT We the People. You know that the de jure government of the US ended with bankruptcy and replacement by a corporation owned by foreigners in 1871. They’ve had about 150 years to consolidate power and they keep the illusion of a constitutional (1789) government going to placate the people, most of us, who don’t know what became of their republic. I have talked face to face with Burr…and I tell you FB…his eyes are chillingly empty. He is not a Patriot.

      3. Ms Liberty, it’s amazing how the eyes are chillingly empty of those who act as the Corporate Guard. It’s like “The Invasion of the Pod People”
        But we’re going to be heard one way or the other, if we have to make them buy hearing aids and scream at them through mega phones.
        The House has been adding and voting on amendment after amendment to HR5538 with horrible Riders, which will gut a lot of funding for various acts of the EPA, weakening Pollution standards and Environmental Protections. Some of the amendments are being presented by the Dem. to add Environmental Protections. Many are put up by the Rep. to further decimate spending on Protections for the People, the Environment and the inhabitants thereof. And They’re winning they’re amendments! If the bill passes, we’re screwed in so many ways and better be ready to scream. The bill may have some good points buut the Riders and the Amendments will decimate our Clean Water Act and Air Quality. They haven’t even brought up the DARK ACT YET. They’re allowed 131 amendments and they’re on about 60 or so. The Republicans as a whole are horrible black hearted hard core Corporate Representatives.
        It’s all about them protecting the Coal Industry and the Pollution Emissions of All Industries. They WILL NOT look to the future.

  10. I’m very glad to see that Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are not on the above list this time! Thanks for all you do to keep us informed and actively fighting for our right to know, Vani!

    1. What list are you looking at? Stabenow and Peters are both on the list. Stabenow co-wrote the bill!

      1. Debbie STAB-AMERICA-IN-THE-BACK -now ABSOLUTLEY voted for this bill – it was hers !! She took in a sweet amount from Mon SATANo too .

  11. I started my nutrition quest with reading labels in 1961…today I avoid food products with all their unnatural ingredients. It’s not difficult to buy fresh produce and make your own foods. There are a number of genetically modified foods to Avoid: …soy…corn…sugar beets…zucchini…crookneck squash …potatoes…rice…Hawaiian papaya…peas…tomatoes…conventional meat and dairy products from animals fed GM corn and soy. To avoid GMOs…buy organic. It is cheaper than getting sick, suffering and paying medical bills. If no one bought their detestable unlabelled products, our government might see what over 90% of the people want. The simple right to know what is in the food they are buying..

    1. Nutrition information was not even available on products until ~1993. To say you have been reading this information since 1961 is a little overzealous.

      You are right though- If you are looking to avoid GMOs, buy organic.

  12. Voting with our dollars is the simplest AND most direct way to take care of our health. It is just a happy side effect that it could put some of the worst offenders out of business. 🙂

    If at all possible, buying from local producers is another way to take care of our health AND the local economy.

    You GO, Food Babe and a heartfelt THANKS to you and the Food Babe Army!!

  13. Keep on fighting the good fight, Vani!
    I got an email reply from our North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis regarding why he voted for the food labeling bill, S. 764 – see below. (Sorry for the long post.)

    First, a few words of thanks – In the 3 years that we have been receiving your newsletter, by following a lot of your advice and that from the Dr. Mercola website also, we have been seriously improving our health and well being. Thanks so much to the both of you for spreading the obvious truth regarding our food supply and suggestions for better health. You both, and others too, are doing us all a great service.
    One suggestion we have, for pulling the teeth of your haters: Your team might want to consider including some kind of reference notes for statements made in your newsletter. Sometimes even we wonder where your information comes from and we would like to be able to verify some information before we forward it along to friends and family.
    Dr. Mercola’s wonderful website does a really good job documenting where his information is coming from. In our opinion, this could only help your sterling reputation. Thanks again for everything!!!

    Re: Our irresponsible Senators, aka “pimps and protectors” for their comrades in arms, the corporate prostitutes such as Monsanto and all the rest of the “6 Evil Sisters” of the Big Agro/Chemical corporations that are continuing to poison us just for a little more bottom line profit!
    I sent emails to both of our North Carolina Senators and all 13 Representatives pleading with them to NOT support the recently passed S. 764 the “labeling bill” and I only heard back from Republican Senator, Thom Tillis.
    Phone calls to both NC Senators were routed to voice mail and I’ve heard nothing regarding those calls made last week.
    I have included the email reply I received below to serve as an example of just how far removed from reality I believe his perception, and those that voted for this bill, is regarding the labeling of GMO foods. After reading the letter, all I could do was shake my head and vow to keep on fighting for what we all know is right. That being “Transparency in Food Labeling.” We all need to know what we are buying to put into all of our bodies and the bodies of all of our children and grandchildren.
    I too agree that from now on our policy is, whenever we find a QR code on a packaged food, BACK on the shelf it goes!!!
    We “vote” with our food dollars seeing as how our legislators, being bought and paid for by Corporate America, have turned their backs on common sense regarding what the overwhelming percentage of Americans are now demanding. The Food Revolution is unstoppable we will prevail in the end. Legislators better remember that if they want to stay in office! I, for one, am ashamed that Thom Tillis and Richard Burr are our NC Senators!

    Here is Senator Tillis’s email response,
    “Dear Mr. Xxxxx:
    Thank you for taking the time to contact me about mandatory labeling of foods containing biotechnology. I appreciate hearing from you.
    In 2014, Vermont passed a law that mandated the labeling of products in the state that contain any biotechnology ingredients. The law passed under the guise of consumer safety and the “right to know,” despite the fact that numerous foods and beverages were exempted from the law’s labeling mandate.
    The law went into effect on July 1, 2016, and it is estimated to add compliance costs to the tune of $81.9 billion or $1,050 per family across the United States. That’s an expense that very few family budgets can absorb, and because of national consequences this bill inflicted, Congress appropriately intervened.

    On July 7, 2016, the Senate passed S.764, a bipartisan bill developed by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the highest ranking Republican and Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. This compromise legislation prevents a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws and authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a uniform national disclosure standard for genetically engineered (GE) food made for human consumption. It enhances consumer protections by requiring food manufacturers to make information about biotechnology readily available and allows our country’s food supply chain—the safest and most dependable in the world—to adhere to one standard, not a series of state laws that would be impossible for food companies to comply with and for consumers to easily identify.

    I understand that biotechnology in modern agriculture is a controversial topic and that reasonable people often disagree about where the right balance lies regarding labeling requirements. I hope we can all agree that our nation needs a strong agricultural industry to support a safe and accessible food supply chain. Food production must continue advancing over the next several decades to meet the demands of the world’s ever-growing population.

    Biotechnology is the tool used to provide sustenance and nutrition to billions of people around the globe. We must ensure that consumer confusion about the safety of GE foods—scientifically proven to be safe—does not lead to a global humanitarian food crisis.

    I strongly supported S.764 because I believe it maximizes protections for consumers, farmers, food manufacturers, and future generations. It ensures
    that farmers who grow organic crops can coexist with those using biotechnology. It standardizes disclosure methods so that consumers are able to access information about GE products in a consistent, user-friendly platform. And most importantly, it gives our food supply chain the flexibility to continue adapting to ever-changing consumer demands, something a patchwork of state laws could not promise.

    Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again about other important issues.”
    Sincerely,
    Thom Tillis
    U.S. Senator

      1. He received over 400k from the agri and chemical corps. Of course he is going to side with them. It’s hard to stand up to that kind of campaign cash! So corrupt!

    1. OMG! Is he really that clueless? I guess 400k buys a whole lot of clueless!
      This is what we’re up against, but they’re shooting themselves and all their business backdoor buddies. They are screwing themselves.

  14. As a Canadian that knows about the dangers of GMOs in the produce that I buy at the local supermarket, I am one of many shoppers that look for the organic version of any produce that I find.

    Organic produce may cost more, but it is the safer choice.

  15. I still have a weathered Daines for Congress sticker, before he was a senator… It will be easy to peel off and attach to a paper to mail back to him and make sure in no uncertain terms that he understands how many reasons I have to never vote for him… $596,781… The bribe he accepted from Big Ag

    Vani, you should start a “Strike petition” against whatever corporation has the first code… It could be promoted on Cornucopia, Natural News, Organic Consumers Association etc…

    I better stop typing now, being that this is a family friendly site… Good work as always

  16. I have for a long time known that our ‘political leaders’ do not represent the American people. They care about special interest groups that will stuff their pockets with money. They are greedy and disgusting and I will be sure to vote against any senator who voted for this ridiculous and stupid bill. Gheesh why do we have such a pathetic and corrupt political system in this wonderful country. It’s because of them that we are falling into the world toilet. I have three words to say to any loser politician who voted in support of this bill…….GO TO HELL!

  17. I have been in the health food industry for over 40 years…now retired…and I LOVE YOU!!!!!! I wrote to my senators in Arizona and what useless double speak I got back. Senator Flake tried to explain to me that he needed to vote the way his constituents wanted so that they can exercise their freedoms. Sure!!! Please keep fighting. We are all with you!

  18. Another way to vote with your wallet: Look for foods that carry Certified Organic and Non-GMO labeling and BUY THOSE. Assume that anything without these labels contains GMO ingredients. More and more brands are carrying these labels and this trend will continue to grow if we support it. Then, no matter what politicians and Big Food do to keep us in the dark about GMO foods, we can work around it and support the production of food that doesn’t make us sick. (P.S. LOVE my amazing senators from Oregon, Wyden and Merkley, who actively support pro-consumer and pro-health initiatives!)

  19. When I found out how my senator voted I went on his facebook page, as did others. He sent out this message for a happy 4th of July and I told him disappointed I was that he doesn’t think as Americans we have a right to know what is in our food and told him we deserve better! It’s disgusting! I have family that thinks it’s a joke until their kids developed nut allergies and the ER doctor told them it was from GMOs!! They pay attention now!

  20. Beyond words, speechless, dumfounded,angry, what these people are doing,getting paid by Monsanto Lobbyist and screwing the people whom they work for, send a email to the white house but no response of course, this is all his doing any way, Mr wonderful Hussein Obama, Karin

  21. Ok, fine. No labels. Have it your way Monsanto. So instead of labeling the substances, let’s just move to ban them altogether. Ban GMOs and glyphosate. If they are banned, we won’t need labels.

    Monsanto’s latest financial report (dated June 29, 2016) can be viewed at http://news.monsanto.com/press-release/financial/monsanto-reports-third-quarter-financial-results-company-remains-innovation-

    An excerpt from the link above…. “Gross profit for the first nine months of fiscal year 2016 was $5.9 billion versus $7.2 billion in the prior year period.”

    1. Oooooo , that’s good stuff, thanks for posting that.
      We have ONLY BEGUN TO FIGHT! They don’t have any idea the can of worms they have opened up.
      BTW. They have killed ALL the earthworms in their soil with all the crap. Pure Evil they are. I mean, have you seen them? All sallow and old!. Ugh!

  22. Shame on you Congress for once again selling out the American people for which you promised to serve!!!
    You should be made to eat only the poison you are trying to trick/force us to eat with this phony ass labeling.
    Shoot this horrendous bill to hell where it belongs. Grow some courage and veto this bill NOW!!!!!

  23. Vani – please don’t forget to call out those who appointed themselves spokespeople for the pro-labeling movement and agreed to this anti-consumer “compromise”: Walter Robb of Whole Foods; Gary Hirschberg of Stonyfield Farm and the pseudo-pro GMO labeling group Just Label It; and the Environmental Working Group, represented by Scott Faber, former head lobbyist for the pro-biotech Grocery Manufacturers Association. They do not represent us and do not deserve our support!

  24. I did as you instructed, and contacted Tillis and Burr. I explained to the person ,each time, that my call was in reference to GMO labeling on foods which was going to the House in a few days for Senators to vote. Each time, the person who answered the phone said Tillis and Burr were unavailable, but took my name and telephone number for a call back. I never received a call back from either one. I am livid and wonder what can I do to publically call them out on dismissing my concerns. I’m an unemployed senior-African American female and do not own a smart phone. Furthermore, I am sicken knowing that the food I consume may be contributing factors to my health issues! I AM READY TO FIGHT BACK by any means necessary!

    1. Bonnie, start by going to the Facebook pages of these elected officials and voicing your opinions there!

      1. Excellant. Hit Congressman Kewn Calvert at the top of the list! HE’S HORRIBLE, I MEAN SATAN!!! You should hear him go up against every single environmental amendment the Dem. are proposing. He encourages all his fellows to vote NO on all the Amendments. His soul is Dark.

  25. The brave group of Senators who voted against the DARK act, be sure to send them your support and thank yous!
    Blumenthal (D-CT)
    Booker (D-NJ)
    Cantwell (D-WA)
    Cardin (D-MD)
    Collins (R-ME)
    Durbin (D-IL)
    Flake (R-AZ)
    Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Heinrich (D-NM)
    King (I-ME)
    Leahy (D-VT)
    Markey (D-MA)
    Merkley (D-OR)
    Murkowski (R-AK)
    Murphy (D-CT)
    Murray (D-WA)
    Paul (R-KY)
    Reed (D-RI)
    Reid (D-NV)
    Sanders (I-VT)
    Sasse (R-NE)
    Schatz (D-HI)
    Schumer (D-NY)
    Sessions (R-AL)
    Sullivan (R-AK)
    Tester (D-MT)
    Udall (D-NM)
    Warren (D-MA)
    Whitehouse (D-RI)
    Wyden (D-OR)

  26. You would think that if a senator received money from an agency of conflict they would have to sustain from voting due to the conflict. It really is a corrupt system.

  27. Vani,

    Are you doing any particular campaign against WHOLE FOODS and their Traitor position?

    So many people trust what they sell and need to know that their top leaders help to draft and pass this bill.
    This needs to be clearly advertised as a violation of our trust and a boycott against them organized. Many TV cooking shows laud them and their products. Do you have the ability to contact those shows to stop advertising for them?

  28. 1. Sign this petition to ask President Obama to veto the bill here. ? Did Obama do anything about the Enlist Duo herbicide??? I’d be real happy if O won’t be staying for a 3rd term by starting a war with China, Russia and North Korea before Nov 8. He sure seems like he heading that direction!

  29. I sent letters (email) to both Tennessee Senators. Got a reply from Lamar Alexander. It was basically a form letter trying to educate me on what GMOs are and how the new scientific technology is just an extension of old fashioned hybridizing, but it doesn’t take as long. I explained to him what I know and what my concerns are. He pretty much dismissed what I had to say. Anyway, we had a back-and-forth by email for about a week. It ended with my telling him I wouldn’t bother him anymore…nor vote for him anymore.
    I didn’t get a response from Corker. I won’t vote for him anymore, either.

    1. Christina M, I used to live up there and I still let them hear from me. They’re both HORRIBLE Dinasaurs and I’ve told Alexanders little message taker that’s what he is and fossils better start looking for the door. The Republicans are just as bad down here. Hard cold stone. Alexander has mounted a campaign against clean energy coming into Tennessee. Corker is his buddy.
      I hope you can help mount a huge campaign against them BOTH! AND VOTE THEM OUT!

  30. My latest book, “Living in our Toxic World” https://www.amazon.com/Living-Our-Toxic-World-environmental/dp/1534669248/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466528323&sr=1-1&keywords=Living+in+our+toxic+world
    will give you a list of the ingredients that you should look for on the package of a food that indicate that it has GMO ingredients. That will allow you to avoid GMO foods without them being labeled. If we stop buying those products, they will stop making them.

    1. ” If we stop buying those products, they will stop making them.”
      Yes! This is already happening and the movement will continue to grow if we support it through our shopping habits. Here here!

  31. Just an FYI-the WH e-mail verification system (required to sign petition) is not working so signatures are not being added to the petition.

  32. Hi,
    OMG how corrupt the system is there. The greatest thing you can do is to leave those barcoded products on the shelves. I wonder when they try the same thing in Europe. Vani, keep up the good work!

    Tommi from Finland

  33. Yeah, Crapo he always seems to be on these bad list. Wonder why?

    You are correct. it’s about letting consumers decide if they want GMO in their diet for their families or themselves.

    Here, the industry is deciding for you and not telling you about it. That’s enough to boycott their food.

  34. I have signed countless petitions, written countless letters and both of my DEMOCRATIC Va. senators voted Yes! I stopped shopping at Whole Foods two years ago as support the Dark Act. I only buy food that is labeled non-gmo and fortunately here in Richmond we have two locally owned stores that only carry products that are non-gmo!
    I so agree with Joel Salatin, we can only win this battle with our pocketbooks!

    When are you going after Whole Foods?

  35. I’m actually mad this happened. In school, we had to write a letter to Congress about something meaningful. I wrote about how the usage of GMO’s and other harmful substances should not be in food. My state representative, Senator Brown sent an automatic reply that he “would promise to keep that in mind if it was brought up”. Obviously, he didn’t.

  36. Very disappointed Dianne Feinstien CA-D sold out to Monsanto. I will not forget when it’s time for her to run again for Senate.

  37. Flake from AZ. did vote yes he and McCain received a total of $539,588.00 from evil Monsanto and Big Ag. chemical buddies. Total amount all yes Senators received $58,991,182.00. Rep. Sinema from AZ. tooted how she voted for no raise for Congress; ghee could any one give a guess? Monsanto’s evil money along with his Big Ag. chemical buddies. It should be quite obvious to America that Monsanto and Big Ag. companies have something to hide from America. No suprise there that is how all these Big Ag. chemical companies satanilly work together. They have even bought all the Reps in Congress; satan at it’s best.

  38. I wrote to Feinstein (CA) and said basically that it was an absolute travesty that she voted for the dark act and that she was SUPPOSED to work for us as WE are her ’employers’, not the corporations!

    1. No you are not her employer. Big corporations are. She is employed by who voluntarily pays her. You pay her because you are a victim of her extortion racket (taxation). The big corps pay her a whole lot more and do so only if she delivers.

      So she delivers. Grow up. Stop whining.

  39. Congress Passed GMO Labeling Rules That Supersede Tough State Measures. Poor Food Babe

  40. Your very last link takes me to the roll call votes for the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (???) But it more generically states that it is a “bill to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes.” So was the sham labeling measure lumped in with Planned Parenthood losing its funding, or is the link just erroneous?

    I do NOT want to wade into abortion politics here. It just sickens me how so many political issues get lumped together like this as a political strategy, if that is indeed what’s going on here. Defunding PP would entice a lot of Republicans to vote for sham GMO labeling. On the flipside, it would surprise me that so many Dems would vote to defund PP in order to support sham labeling.

  41. This issue is easily taken care of by free market actions, so squealing to the parasites in power is silly and useless.

    Simply don’t buy food that is not labeled the way you want it to be labeled. Grow as much of your own as possible, buy from local sources that you can personally inspect, stop eating processed food.

    Stop whining. Be the market, not the voter. If you want big government to fund your favorite free stuff, expect big government to sell out to the highest bidder. Stop asking for government to do anything. Do it yourself. Feed yourself. Educate your own children. Carry your own gun. Be an adult.

    1. You and I won’t agree about GMO labeling but this post hits the nail on the head.

  42. First. you need to read the law and understand the implications before you criticize. It was a compromise o get something on the law books. The alternative was no law at all.
    Second, you need to understand what GMO is and how it insures an affordable food supply for the United States and other consumers. As a food plant scientist, GMO is not the evil food people make it out to be. All plants have some type of modified genetics whether is was through natural selection or laboratory enhancement.
    Third, if all GMO food is banned, your food costs will more than double. Low income families and others struggle to feed themselves now. How much harder will it be if food prices double? You say you’re worried about the world, will you still raise the flag when more children and families are starving because of ill advised and misunderstood activism?
    Forth, read more and learn the truth about isssues before diving in head first to be misled. I saw a quote on the internet that somes up my feelings: “If you read it on the internet, it must be true. (signed) Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States.”

    1. Truth!! GMO is not an ingredient, it is a growing technique. Organic Ruby Red grapefruits were first created from use of radiation to mutate the genes as are other varieties of fruits and veggies I don’t see the industry harping on those. Why no label? Because it’s a marketing gimmick and that is it. The non gmo project symbols are on ridiculous things like salt. Seriously people if you have to be assured that your salt is not genetically modified then you need to start strengthening your think for yourself and critical thinking skills.

  43. Change.org:

    https://www.change.org/start-a-petition?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GST_USER_REMARKETING_US_start_a_petition

    Labeling is just Red-Herring; a misdirection of attention. The issue is this: GMOs MUST BE MADE ILLEGAL in this country just as they are in 94? other countries.

    As Alex Jones says, “if they are so great, why try to hide them.” GMOs just came out onto store shelves about 20 years ago, and the evidence of the damage and diseases they are causing is mounting.

    P.S. Who ever gave these bastards the right to sabotage the food supply. GMOs was stealthy put on American food shelves etc. ( 60% of what you buy ), and most people are unaware of what a GMO is or that that potato; tomato; milk; corn; bread; wheat etc. is not what it used to be.

    GMOs MUST BE MADE ILLEGAL NOW!
    Labeling is not the real issue

  44. Need to boycott Whole Foods. Our army needs to know that the Organic Trade Association pushed very hard along with Whole Foods to pass the Dark Act. The OTA was bullied by Monsanto and Big Ag. chemical companies. We the Army need to get a list of all OTA members from The Cornucopia Institute- web site (www.cornucopia.org); and boycot all their foods. This is war. Let the boycotts begin now America.

  45. I was a regular shopper at Whole Foods buying organic foods until I was recently told by one of the many nice folks they employ that “organic” does not imply non-GMO!!! Thus we need to look for both labels as someone mentioned already above. After their stance now on labeling I am more determined to boycott them.
    As for our sold politicians we need to not vote for them again. I am for a complete ban on GMOs. Although labeling would help identify these foods, we all know that it will never be complete and accurate. Hurt big business by boycotting their products and sold politicians by never voting for them.. Spread the word about this to people you know . Unfortunately the public at large is rather apathetic, they don’t understand the lethal risk of meddling with our Genes. As for the medical professionals ,they are asleep and/or indifferent, a disgrace. Signed petition re Dark Act

    1. Check out this post for more information on the difference between the organic and non-GMO label:
      https://foodbabe.com/2015/02/26/difference-between-organic-non-gmo-labels/

      “Certified organic foods are also non-GMO. USDA organic regulations prohibit any genetically modified (GMO) ingredients in a certified organic product.”
      “NOTE: The USDA Organic label certifies that 95%-100% of the ingredients are organic, so there is a slight chance that (up to 5%) of non-organic ingredients are in the product – however they are not supposed to be GMO. There are still some tricky loopholes, so that’s why you need to look for “100% certified organic” or a “Non-GMO Project” verified label to ensure it’s GMO-free”.

  46. Why do you block anyone who wants to have a conversation opposite of what you believe? Are you afraid?

    1. Its the way activists work. I find it ironic that they demand complete transparency of others, i.e. food labels, but have no tolerance of information that contradicts theirs.

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