Extraordinary Health 27 | Page 47

Al Carey, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages, states, “It’s a consumer interest. I think they’re very interested in non-GMO and organic, and to the degree you can make it meaningful to the consumer—do it.” So, instead of waiting for federal conclusions or for variations in state- to-state policies and laws, she believes “proposing a mandatory national solution is necessary” and that “printing a clear and simple statement on the label is the best solution for consumers and for Campbell.” Even if the government doesn’t soon require GMO labeling, Campbell’s will go ahead and label its products anyway. And while she didn’t dispute the science behind GMOs or their “safety,” she did say that “as a result of the change in our position on GMO labeling, Campbell is withdrawing from all efforts led by groups opposing mandatory GMO labeling legislation, including those led by GMA,” the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which has been a strongly opposed to labeling products that contain GMOs. PepsiCo’s decision for the organic Gatorade option is definitely a step forward, even though in the past few years, they, too, have sided with and supported the action of GMA in the fight against labeling GMOs. To be clear, PepsiCo hasn’t withdrawn from all efforts of groups opposing mandatory labeling GMOs like Campbell’s has, but they have the same opportunity to do so. Now that PepsiCo realizes that organic and non-GMO are huge interests of consumers, not only are they launching an organic Gatorade option, but they also plan to launch a line of non-GMO Tropicana® products. set to require labeling. Connecticut and Maine may not be far behind, though. They have passed similar laws, but those can’t take effect unless neighboring states do the same. Even with the Vermont law pending, the fight concerning whether or not to label GMOs continues. The GMA and three other trade associations have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Vermont state labeling law as unconstitutional—hoping for a court to strike it down or for a federal law to pre-empt state actions before it goes into effect in July. Essentially, the goal is to get rid of considering mandatory GMO labeling, to make GMO labeling voluntary and/or to take control over GMOs away from states and their citizens. These efforts have been thwarted up until now, but the fight’s not over yet. Nevertheless, ground is being gained in the fight for GMO labeling, and Campbell’s, Gatorade and Vermont are part of that movement. This year is also a landmark for GMO labeling for the entire state of Vermont, which has a law set to go into effect July 1st that requires companies to begin labeling products that are genetically modified (GM). Vermont’s Guided by a strong not alone in this endeavor. Several sense of transparency, other states—30 Guided by a strong sense of transparency, presently—are she concluded with she concluded with these words: “I pushing to enact these words: truly believe it is the right thing to do for GMO-labeling consumers and for our business.” “I truly believe it is or GM-labeling requirements Another change along the GMO labeling the right thing to do modeled on lines is Gatorade, a division of PepsiCo, for consumers and for announcing that, due to consumer interest, Vermont’s upcoming law. they will offer an organic Gatorade option our business.” this year. (Organic, of course, by definition So far, however, Campbell’s President and CEO, means no GMOs allowed.) Denise Morrison Vermont is the only state