Campbell’s Adds GMO Ingredients to Labels — First Major Company to Support GMO Labeling
Campbell’s is planted on the hot seat as they move to provide their customers with full disclosure of all GMOs (genetically modified organisms) used in their soups and other products by adhering to the new federal GMO labeling requirement. Campbell’s became the first major company to comply with the new regulation and stated the labels will cite each GMO product clearly on the packaging.
As The Wall Street Journal stated on Friday, Campbell’s said they would be an advocate to Congress to help a law pass that requires all foods to indicate if any GMO ingredients were used via clear labels on the packaging. They also said they would withdraw from working with other companies who opposed GMO labeling. In July, food makers will be forced to label all GMO foods clearly in the state of Vermont. Campbell’s will be the first major food company, on a national level, to take the lead in clearly labeling all GMO ingredients.
Hey GMO Insiders, let’s show @Campbells some love and thank them for leading the way. https://t.co/mC8nB62QW6 pic.twitter.com/QKZ26LqnW3
— Soil & Climate Alliance (@SoilClimateAll) January 10, 2016
The labeling of GMO ingredients is said to apply to all of Campbell’s products and brands including Pepperidge Farms, V-8, and Prego sauces. Campbell’s believes GMO labeling is a responsible practice, and stands behind its decision to make the change. Campbell’s reveals they will currently only provide GMO labels on those foods sold in the USA; however, are looking to implement the policy on a global level.
USA Today reported that Campbell’s considers most GMO to be safe for human consumption. Still, the company has decided to clearly label all GMO ingredients on their products. In a statement to the public, Campbell’s reveals they are not considering removing GMO ingredients from their foods, but they will clearly label the foods that include GMOs to give their customers the power to decide whether they want to consume products containing GMO ingredients or not.
Campbell's calls for mandatory GMO labeling, breaks from big food's position https://t.co/PQX7W8VjJf pic.twitter.com/V8QBVQ1ESB
— Treehugger Animals (@TreehuggerTwo) January 9, 2016
Many people feel that GMOs are not safe as they cannot be adequately tested as each person processes GMOs differently. It becomes difficult to test if GMOs has any toxins or allergens. For this reason, Vermont passed a law that all foods must have the GMO ingredients listed on the labels. The law is expected to be enforced this year after Governor Peter Shumlin signs the bill.
Campbell’s released a statement about GMO labeling laws and feel confident they can appease both those for GMO labels and those that oppose them.
“Campbell is optimistic a federal solution can be established in a reasonable amount of time if all the interested stakeholders cooperate; however, if that is not the case, Campbell is prepared to label all of its U.S. products for the presence of ingredients that were derived from GMOs, not just those required by pending legislation in Vermont.”
Even though Campbell’s decided to label all GMO ingredients on the packaging, it doesn’t change their stance on GMO foods.
“Campbell continues to recognize that GMOs are safe, as the science indicates that foods derived from crops grown using genetically modified seeds are not nutritionally different from other foods.”
The GMO labeling news comes on the heels of the announcement last week that beef and pork will no longer have food labels indicating what country the animal was born and where it was slaughtered. Previously, meat packaging clearly stated if the animal ate a vegetarian diet and if they ate a GMO-free diet.
Campbell’s seems to be encouraging other companies to follow their lead. The Pepperidge Farm company, owned by Campbell’s, will now label all GMO ingredients clearly on the packaging, giving their customers the right to decide whether to consume products containing GMOs.
[Image via Shutterstock]
