This article is concerned about the labeling of genetically modified ingredients. As the health awareness is increasing, people in California are attempting to change the labeling laws on genetically modified foods via legislation (voting through ballot paper). (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-19828142) The labeling laws at the current do not require the food industry to label on raw or processed food offered for sales to consumers.
From the stand of consumers, it is totally their rights to know what are they consuming. But, for the view of suppliers especially those who have genetically modified ingredients in their food products, the statute would have incur additional cost to them to regulate the labeling of genetically modified foods. By regulating the label it would mean changing the label of for products supplied to other parts of United States as it will be troublesome and expensive to have separate packaging. (http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/37-title-summ-analysis.pdf)
Meanwhile, saying that it would have incurred around 1 million annually as one of their reasons. It actually does not make sense as they are willing to pay 40 million mainly on TV advertisements in an attempt to convince people not to vote against them.
From the point of consumers’ rightist, it appropriate to make such a call and it is the first step to make a revolution for labeling law as consumers need to know what they are eating. Although, it may not be fair in GM’s view as the current labeling law does not include antibiotics, pesticides or hormones to be labeled on package too. But, I believe it is just the matter of time given that the health awareness is escalating everywhere.
