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Follow on Google News | MA Groups Oppose Food Labeling BillKey leaders point to excessive consumer costs, lack of scientific justification
By: MA Farm to Food All the leading scientific bodies agree that genetically modified foods are no different from foods derived from conventionally bred crops. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and The American Medical Association are a just a few that have found these foods to be as nutritious and safe as those. The American Association for the Advancement of Science states, “Legally mandating such a label can only serve to mislead and falsely alarm consumers.” Massachusetts’ “Forced labeling will result in higher food costs for Massachusetts consumers of as much as $500 per year. That’s part of the reason the New Hampshire legislature rejected it this year and our legislature should as well,” said Bill Rennie, Vice President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Rennie also noted voters in California and Washington also rejected forced labeling referendums in the last two years, demonstrating that consumers don’t want to pay more for food due to state government labeling mandates. In addition to genetically modified crops being safe and nutritious, there are also environmental benefits. These crops require less water, less pesticide and herbicide use, and they produce much larger crop yields. “The current anti-GMO zeal is largely based on misinformation, it is not scientifically substantiated, but rather anti-science internet gossip and well-organized fear-mongering that profits some individuals and organizations. This type of misinformation does a disservice to innovation and the future of our society and our environment,” Coalition members that support voluntary food labeling and oppose costly, mandatory labeling of foods derived from genetically modified crops include: • Massachusetts Food Association • Retailers Association of Massachusetts • Massachusetts Biotechnology Council • Associated Industries of Massachusetts • Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers • Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance • Grocery Manufacturers Association of America • Biotechnology Industry Organization For more information on the expense of unnecessary labeling and the environmental and nutritional benefits of GE products, visit www.MaFarmtoFood.org and @MAFarmtoFood End
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