Proposition 37, a Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Initiative, is on the November 6, 2012 ballot in California as an initiated state statute.[1],[2]
If Proposition 37 is approved by voters, it will:
- Require labeling on raw or processed food offered for sale to consumers if the food is made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways.
- Prohibit labeling or advertising such food as "natural." (gotta laugh!!!!)
- Exempt from this requirement foods that are "certified organic; unintentionally produced with genetically engineered material; made from animals fed or injected with genetically engineered material but not genetically engineered themselves; processed with or containing only small amounts of genetically engineered ingredients; administered for treatment of medical conditions; sold for immediate consumption such as in a restaurant; or alcoholic beverages."
Supporters include:
- Organic Consumers' Association
- Nature's Path
- The Institute for Responsible Technology[3]
- The California Democratic Party[4]
- Dr. Michelle Pero. Pero is a pediatrician.
- Rebecca Spector. Spector is the West Coast Director of the Center for Food Safety.
- Grant Lundberg. Lundberg is the Chief Executive Officer of Lundberg Family Farms.
- Jamie Court. Court is the president of Consumer Watchdog
- Jim Cochran. Cochran is the general manager of Swanton Berry Farm.
- Dr. Marcia Ishil-Eiteman. Ishil-Eiteman is a senior scientist with the Pesticide Action Network.[5]
Arguments in favor
The arguments presented in favor of Proposition 37 in the state's official voter guide include:- "You should have the right to know what's in your food."
- "You'll have the information you need about foods that some physicians and scientists say are linked to allergies and other significant health risks."
- "Over 40 countries around the world require labels for genetically modified foods."[5]
Donors
Total campaign cash  as of October 14, 2012 | |
 Support: | $7,700,000 |
 Opposition: | $35,600,000 |
These are the $50,000 and over donors to the "yes" campaign as of October 14, 2012:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Organic Consumers Fund | $1,334,865 |
| Mercola Health Resources | $1,115,000 |
| Kent Whealy | $1,000,000 |
| Nature's Path Foods | $610,709 |
| The Stillonger Trust | $440,000 |
| Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps | $369,883 |
| Wehah Farm (Lundberg Family Farms) | $251,000 |
| Great Foods of America | $102,000 |
| Alex Bogusky | $100,000 |
| Amy's Kitchen | $100,000 |
| Clif Bar & Co. | $100,000 |
| Cropp Cooperative (Organic Valley) | $100,000 |
| Annie's, Inc. | $50,000 |
| Michael S. Funk | $50,000 |
| Nutiva | $50,000 |
Opposition
Opponents
The arguments against Proposition 37 in the state's official voter guide were submitted by:- Dr. Bob Goldberg. Goldberg is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Jamie Johansson. Johansson is a family farmer in California.
- Betty Jo Toccoli. Toccoli is the president of the California Small Business Association.
- Jonnalee Henderson. Henderson is affiliated with the California Farm Bureau Federation.
- Dr. Henry I. Miller. Miller is a founding director of the Office of Biotechnology of the Food & Drug Administration.
- Tom Hudson. Hudson is the executive director of the California Taxpayer Protection Committee.[7]
Arguments against
The arguments in opposition to Proposition 37 presented in the state's official voter guide include:- "It's a deceptive, deeply flawed food labeling scheme that would add more government bureaucracy and taxpayer costs, create new frivolous lawsuits, and increase food costs by billions--without providing any health or safety benefits."
- "It's full of special interest exemptions."
- "It authorizes shakedown lawsuits."[7]
Donors
| Total campaign cash as of October 14, 2012 | |
| Support: | $7,700,000 |
| Opposition: | $35,600,000 |
These are the $100,000 and over donors to the "no" campaign as of October 14, 2012:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monsanto | $7,105,582 |
| E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co. | $4,900,000 |
| DOW Agrisciences | $2,000,000 |
| Bayer Cropscience | $2,000,000 |
| BASF Plant Science | $2,000,000 |
| Syngenta Corporation | $2,000,000 |
| Pepsico, Inc. | $1,716,300 |
| Coca-Cola North America | $1,174,400 |
| Nestle USA | $1,169,400 |
| Conagra Foods | $1,076,700 |
| General Mills | $908,200 |
| Del Monte Foods | $674,100 |
| Kellogg Company | $632,500 |
| Hershey Company | $498,006 |
| The J.M. Smucker Company | $388,000 |
| Council for Biotechnology Information | $375,000 |
| Grocery Manufacturers Association | $375,000 |
| Hormel Foods | $374,300 |
| Bumble Bee Foods | $368,500 |
| Ocean Spray Cranberries | $362,100 |
| Sara Lee | $343,600 |
| Bimbo Bakeries | $338,300 |
| Pioneer Hi-Bred International | $310,100 |
| Pinnacle Foods | $266,100 |
| Dean Foods Company | $253,950 |
| Biotechnology Industry Organization | $252,000 |
| Campbell's Soup | $250,000 |
| McCormick & Company | $248,200 |
| Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company | $237,664 |
| Rich Products Corporation | $225,537 |
| Cargill, Inc. | $202,229 |
| Dole Packaged Foods | $171,261 |
| Knouse Foods Cooperative | $135,831 |
| Mars Food North America | $100,242 |
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