No GMOs Girl Scouts Cookie Petition Goes Viral
Girl Scout Cookies and GMO ingredients should not go together, according to a viral Change.org petition. The highly anticipated sweet treats have been used as a scouting fundraiser for more than 100 years. The “NO GMO” petition was organized by a California Girl Scout unhappy about GM beet sugar and other processed ingredients inside the colorful little boxes.
Orange County Girl Scout Alicia Serratos sat down with her mom to talk about reformulating the cookies with non-GMO ingredients. Mother and daughter had a long discussion about GMO ingredients and what could be done to influence the baking choices of the Girl Scouts. Serratos initially considered just sending a letter to Girl Scout officials but ultimately opted to start a No GMO petition online instead.
The “Girl Scouts: Please make cookies without GMOs” petition features a photo of the adorable little Daisy Girl Scout who is very concerned about the use of ingredients which comprise the ultra-popular treats. Alicia said, “GMOs aren’t safe and we want the cookies to be safe.”
Many of the comments beneath the petition echo the commitment to healthy food choices. The Monsanto Protection Act signed into law by President Barack Obama has also made headlines recently. Food Democracy Now and farmers from across America protested the use of GMO seeds, and other mandates inside the recently passed legislation, during a gathering in front of the White House last week.
An excerpt from the No GMOs Girl Scouts petition reads:
“GMOs studies in animals have linked them to infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.”
The Girl Scouts organization is in no way bound to comply with the no GMO cookies request regardless of how many signatures the online petition garners. Many GMO opponents consider the online petition a success because it has helped raise awareness about ingredients and the need for GMO labeling policies. A Girl Scout troop in Missouri recently hosted a non-GMO bake sale. Institute for Responsible Technology and GMO Inside Steering Committee member Jeffrey Smith helped with the fundraising and awareness event.
The Girl Scout organization facts page addresses the use of GMO ingredients in the cookies. The text states that the baking staff has the ability to determine whether to use genetically modified agricultural crops in Girl Scout Cookies. The decision is reportedly based on “a range of market-related factors.” The Girl Scout release also notes that the group feels that everything that goes into the cookies are safe – including the GMO ingredients.
How do you feel about GMO ingredients in Girl Scouts Cookies and the Monsanto Protection Act?
[Image Via: Shutterstock.com]
