Food Industry Leaders Say Consumers Want GMO labels

With a new federal labeling standard on the way, food company executives told the Wall Street Journal that consumers want GMO products labeled.  The Journal gathered executives in agribusiness, consumer products and government to explore challenges and opportunities in the industry last week.

A loud voice in the labeling acceptance world, Campbell Soup Company, says the company supports labeling because consumers want transparency.  Meanwhile, Panera Bread’s founders said they are “not taking a unilateral position on GMOs,” but added Panera supports GMO labeling because that is what their customers want.

However, executives of Wal-Mart took a different angle. A Wal-Mart spokesperson says “the debate never should have been about labeling, but rather about whether GMOs are safe or not, and relying on science as the guide.”

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com