Supermarket chain Whole Foods Market is supporting the ‘Yes on 522’ campaign in its push toward full genetically modified foods (GMO) transparency with a grassroots education effort in Washington called, ‘Will Vote for Food’.
The move is a part of the supermarket chain's commitment to the consumer's right to know about GMOs.
In March 2013, the company announced that all the products in its US and Canadian stores will be labeled to indicate the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by 2018. The company confirms it will fully comply with the 2015 labeling deadline under I-522 when it passes.
In 2012, concerned citizens gathered more than 340,000 signatures in order to move the I-522 initiative forward to a vote in November 2013.
Under the initiative, genetically modified foods such as corn or soy, or foods with GMOs such as chips, cold cereals, soft drinks, and baked goods would have a label noting that the food or food product had been genetically modified.
Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb said the prevalence of GMOs paired with nonexistent mandatory labeling makes it difficult for retailers to source non-GMO options and for consumers to choose non-GMO products.
"We are encouraged by the steps Washington State is taking to ensure transparency for shoppers. We hope the initiative passes and helps the U.S. get to one national standard one day," Robb said.
To advance education about labeling GMOs, Whole Foods Market will work in concert with a coalition of industry partners and collaborators.
