Proposition 37 Battle Continues in California

Controversial Proposition 37 would require food manufacturers to disclose whether processed foods contain genetically modified organisms, otherwise known as GMOs, in the state of California. So far $35 million has been raised by food and biotech companies in attempt to defeat Prop 37. Recently proponents of the initiative had only raised about 10 percent of this amount, but now celebrities have joined their side.

According to Food Safety News, celebrities such as Danny Devito, Dave Matthews, Bill Maher, and Katilin Olson have joined to make a video in support of Proposition 37 asking Californians to vote in support of rule.

However, opponents of Proposition 37 argue that labeling food products would increase their cost. In addition, consumers would become confused about food ingredients, and it could spark litigation against food companies and grocers.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only requires food manufacturers to label GMOs if there is a significant difference in the product’s nutritional profile or if the product contains an allergen that consumers would not expect.

“GMOs are becoming increasingly common throughout the U.S., and at least seven out of every ten items on supermarket shelves have been genetically modified, according to the Center for Food Safety (CFS),” states Charles Li, Ph.D., Director of PCR and DNA Analysis Laboratory at EMSL Analytical. “EMSL uses sophisticated DNA testing to detect the presence of GMOs in food products for the food industry and consumers.”

For more information on EMSL’s food testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, email  info@EMSL.com , or visit www.EMSL.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com