To: W. Rodney McMullen, Kroger CEO
Kroger: Label your GMO foods
NCPIRG
North Carolinians want the right to make informed decisions about the food they and their families consume. I urge you to support your consumers' right to know the ingredients in their food by labeling Kroger store-brand products that contain GMOs. Please give us the ability to make informed food choices for ourselves when we shop at Kroger.
Why is this important?
The FDA does not require the labeling of GMO (genetically modified) food products, leaving consumers in the dark about the ingredients in their food.
Without knowing, consumers in North Carolina and across the country regularly consume food that contains GMOs. Most of the food available on store shelves today contains GMOs—and they’re not without risk. For one thing, studies suggest that genetically modified crops require a dramatic increase in the use of pesticides and herbicides, which have been linked to serious health impacts. In addition, there may be other serious dangers, but we just don’t know - there is very little independent research done on the health implications of GMO consumption because the seeds are patented and the companies that own them prohibit their cultivation for research purposes.
It’s time that we label all foods that contain GMOs so that consumers can make informed choices. However, some big food manufacturers, along with chemical companies like Monsanto, are spending millions of dollars to oppose labeling.
Consumers overwhelmingly want to know what they’re eating, and grocery stores are beginning to heed the call – just last year, Whole Foods committed to labeling. Now, we’re calling on Kroger to side with its customers and label its brands too.
Without knowing, consumers in North Carolina and across the country regularly consume food that contains GMOs. Most of the food available on store shelves today contains GMOs—and they’re not without risk. For one thing, studies suggest that genetically modified crops require a dramatic increase in the use of pesticides and herbicides, which have been linked to serious health impacts. In addition, there may be other serious dangers, but we just don’t know - there is very little independent research done on the health implications of GMO consumption because the seeds are patented and the companies that own them prohibit their cultivation for research purposes.
It’s time that we label all foods that contain GMOs so that consumers can make informed choices. However, some big food manufacturers, along with chemical companies like Monsanto, are spending millions of dollars to oppose labeling.
Consumers overwhelmingly want to know what they’re eating, and grocery stores are beginning to heed the call – just last year, Whole Foods committed to labeling. Now, we’re calling on Kroger to side with its customers and label its brands too.