Get Engaged: Fight for #ConsumersRighttoKnow

The USDA has proposed a national labeling standard for genetically engineered food. Just as food labels empower consumers to understand whether or not their food contains potentially harmful ingredients, including but not limited to; gluten, nuts, MSG or trans-fats, so should these food labels indicate if its genetically modified. In fact, polls have consistently shown Americans believe they have the right to know if their food is Genetically Engineered, with roughly 90 percent regularly voicing support for mandatory GMO labeling.

Unfortunately, the currently proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard falls far short of what we might consider to be clear or fair for consumers. Rather, currently the proposed rule contains significant exemptions; it obfuscates and misleads what consumers need to know for themselves and their families.

The above proposed icons are misrepresentative and misleading to consumers about the risks of genetically-engineered (AKA Bioengineered) organisms, thus should be opposed NOW! Submit your comments ASAP.

Below is an outline of suggestions for the USDA to help them draft another rule which would actually support Americans’ #RightToKnow and make informed food decisions. Submit your comment to the USDA here. Your actions make an impact! Please also share this call to action with your network!!

1. Include products containing highly refined ingredients: This exemption would create a massive loophole for the majority of products that contain genetically engineered ingredients, like sugars and oils, and would ultimately undermine the effectiveness of the standard. 
   
2. Use well-established nomenclature: the term “bioengineered” is not well-established and recognized by consumers. Please use “genetically engineered” (or “GE”), or “genetically modified organism” (or “GMO”) instead to reduce unnecessary consumer confusion.
   
3. Change the logos: the sample logos are inappropriate. A winking, sunny, smiley face, bearing an abbreviation that equates to a positive action verb (BE) is hardly the objective conveyor of scientific fact and suggests that the USDA promotes genetically engineered products and prefers them over organic and other conventional, non-GE  foods. The smile, sun, and scenic symbology should be replaced by neutral designs that simply indicate that the product is genetically engineered or that it contains genetically engineered ingredients. I suggest GE or GMO in a circle.
   
4. Include ALL forms of genetic engineering: ensure that newer forms of genetic engineering, such as gene editing, are covered and identified by this standard.
   
5. Do NOT delay implementation: the proposed compliance date of January 1, 2020 is more than enough time for companies to transition to the new labeling standards. Do not include the unreasonable and unnecessary delay to January 1, 2022 in the final rule.
   
6. Require clear, on-package labels: do not allow QR codes, website URLs, text message numbers, and any other alternatives to be used instead of clear, on-package labels. The USDA’s own 2017 study shows how ineffective and discriminatory these alternatives are.

Tell Cuomo: We Need to Get OFF Fossil Fuels NOW

Long Island’s Caithness power plant is trying to build another!!! PLEASE share and submit your comments by July 5th! 

Local resident, Andrea says it well: “The excuse that they need a fast-start fossil fuel plant that will power the wind farm when there is no wind; yet, Deep Water itself has not made such a declaration and they haven’t even yet received permits. That said, building Caithness2 would be totally premature; plus, why must we keep resorting to fossil fuel as a backup? Perhaps there is a better solution coming our way. Not only that, but with the four years that have passed, we must, at the very least, demand a brand new environmental review as the ecology, the surrounding community, traffic patterns, air quality, and numerous other factors have changed since this project was last considered in 2014. Finally, remember, there is still no documented need for new power sources; according to PSEG we still have a surplus around the island until 2028. Should TOB allow the permit from 2014 to carry over, it would be premature, irresponsible, and reckless.”

Keep the Pressure on Mega-Merger, Poison-Peddling Behemoth Bayer-Monsanto

Since the Department of Justice approved last month the multi-billion dollar merger between pharmaceutical company, Bayer, and agricultural-seed company, Monsanto; the conglomerate was required to divest approximately $9 billion in businesses and assets as part of the deal. Still, it is the world’s largest agri-chemical company, which continues to operate freely and without accountability for the negative impacts on public health and our environment.

For example, as seen in a recent California court trial, DeWayne Johnson vs. Monsanto Company; DeWayne “Lee” Johnson was a school groundskeeper, a job that required him to use Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller on school properties.

According to Organic Consumer Association, “Johnson is just one of thousands of NHL sufferers suing Monsanto for not only causing their cancer, but for knowingly exposing them to risk by concealing Monsanto’s own internal evidence linking Roundup to NHL and other health problems.” The 46-year-old father of two is now terminally ill, with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) yet is committed to holding Monsanto accountable.

Johnson is the first to go to trial, because California expedites trials for the terminally ill. Wayne Johnson could have chosen to live out the rest of his life in peace. Instead, he chose to use the time he has left to face down one of the most powerful companies in the world.

But, in what seems to be a strategic effort to avoid liability, the new owner of the company has announced that the newly merged company will drop the Monsanto name. Our biggest fear might be that Bayer will try to argue that because “Monsanto” no longer exists, its victims no longer exist, either?

Join me in helping the OCA fund more litigation, more investigative journalism, and the most comprehensive study ever undertaken on Roundup weedkiller’s devastating impact on human health. Click here to donate online or for details on how to donate by phone or mail.
 

Tell Food Supply Retailers: Stop the Use of Toxic Pesticides in Our Supply Chain

In April 2017, the European Union passed a ban on all outdoor uses of neonicotinoids. Unfortunately, Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide and toxic nerve agent, which was first introduced by Dow Chemical in 1965, is still available in the U.S. marketplace today. Though it has been linked to child development problems, and the EPA was set to ban all uses of chlorpyrifos last year, the decision was reversed in March.

“Big new developments in the fight to protect our food system. Costco just announced that it is telling its suppliers to stop using bee-toxic pesticides on all fruits, vegetables and garden plants that it sells. And it’s expanding its offerings of organic food. This action will help protect bees, farmworkers and consumers. It also means that we must work together to convince all food retailers to eliminate these toxic pesticides in their supply chains. ” – Friends of the Earth

Urge Kroger: Stop selling food grown with bee and people toxic pesticides!

Support Fairness and Equality in our food system: Join the Fair Food Program

Learn more about the FFP here.

The Worker-driven Social Responsibility model that the Fair Food Program has not only inspired and bolstered positive change in the Good Food movement, but has improved the lives of countless more workers; from the garment factories of Bangladesh to the dairy farms of Vermont. And today, the WSR model stands poised to expand its life-changing protections to millions of more workers across the country and around the globe. 

When you become a Sustainer THIS WEEK ONLY, your contribution will be matched — up to $5,000 — by two current Sustainers and long-time allies!”

Call Your Representatives: Get In The Game Today

America’s Fish Bill – the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) – like the Farm Bill, is up for re-authorization and federal lawmakers need to hear from us. The MSA has a proven record of success, facilitating the recovery of 44 fish stocks! The MSA requires regional fishery management to establish and adhere to science-based practices that ensure sustainable harvests. H.R. 200 would undo much of this, placing additional pressure on our wild fish populations. You can read this recent blog post to learn more about the MSA.

Contact your U.S. Representative and tell her or him to VOTE NO on H.R. 200! You can use the message below. Just cut and paste it on your Representative’s Contact page, or call his or her office to relay our message. You can find your Representatives’ contact information here.