Prop 37
California said ‘NO’ to the GMO labeling initiative Proposition 37, but defeat at the ballot box will not be the end of such initiatives, said a number of industry observers.
At the heart of Prop 37 was a requirement for companies to disclose if foods sold in California were “genetically engineered” (for raw agricultural commodities) or “may have been entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering” (for processed foods and supplements).
CRN’s Steve Mister told us that the industry will have to continue to grapple with this issue of genetically engineered food.
“What is clear from California is that that particular ballot initiative was not the right one […] I think other states will now look at it. We’re likely to see legislatures or ballot initiatives in nearby states and California may revisit it.”
Anne Brown, senior manager of the food ingredients marketing group at The Scoular Company, said that, while Prop 37 supporters lost the battle, they may ultimately win the war.