Labeling GMO Products

 

The issue of labeling genetically modified organisms (GMO) has been a contentious one for many years. This is because it has involved a situation where companies producing these products believe that the obligation to label them leads to higher food costs. On the other hand, a majority of individuals in society believe that it is essential for these companies to label their GMO products because to do so would help them ensure that they have an understanding of what they are consuming. The real issue in this case is one concerning labeling rather than one that involves individuals undertaking a crusade against GMO products in general. This paper argues that it is essential for the USDA to ensure that it requires manufacturers to label their GMO products at all times because it is in the public interest to do so.

One of the most important reasons for having labels on food is that rather than only involving matters concerning safety, it is also informational. The information provided to consumers is essential in the advancement of their knowledge concerning the products that they are using. All consumers have the right to have knowledge concerning what they are eating because to do so ensures that they are able to make informed decisions (Hanes). Undertaking a science-based approach in the process would be fundamental in enhancing consumer knowledge because they will come to the realization that the food manufacturers care about their welfare while at the same time allow them to only consume those products that are of their own choosing. Having knowledge concerning the material differences that exist between food that has been bioengineered and those that are produced traditionally could help in creating a situation where consumer choice is greatly advanced. The requirement that companies label their GNO products is therefore essential in advancing their interests of consumers because it will ensure that their safety is promoted. It will also help in the promotion of initiatives aimed at helping consumers make informed decisions concerning what they would like or not like to consume. This situation will also provide government agencies with the initiative to confirm that products are actually what they are labeled so that government oversight on consumer safety can be advanced effectively. Therefore, the USDA has to ensure that the requirement of GMO product labeling is made mandatory so that consumer safety and information can be made a priority.

One of the most significant factors concerning labeling GMO is that it promotes lesser confusion when it comes to consumers making decisions concerning food purchases. Labeling is an essential action because it allows consumers to make sure that they know about the sources of their food and the process through which these foods were manufactured. This argument has been countered by the food industry, which for the most part considers GMO labels as being restrictive to such an extent that they are likely to increase food costs. Food manufacturers have further argued that labeling could increase production costs because they would be forced to ensure that they have different supply chains and delivery mechanisms for their products (Kimbrell and Fedoroff). This argument does not have merit because it is the responsibility of food manufacturers to ensure that they promote the interests of their consumers. Without undertaking such actions, they would be putting their consumers at risk because the latter will not have knowledge concerning the food that they are consuming. Basic labeling would also not be costly for food producers because they are required to label all their products, especially when it comes to their content. Therefore, it is hypocritical of them to state that they would incur higher production costs because of the requirement that they label their GMO products. These companies seem to be using the argument that labeling will only confuse their consumers to serve their own interests, especially at a time when many of them have the desire to undertake to produce GMO foods on a larger scale than they are already.

Labeling GMO products is essential because despite these products having been used for many years, there have not been independent long-term studies concerning their effect on human health. In this case, it is important that labeling is conducted so that consumers can choose whether or not to use these products. The same can be said when it comes to the credibility of manufacturers because the latter have argued that for the most part, they do not find any safety issues with their GMO products (Rosen; Haspel). Under these circumstances, the credibility of products as well as their manufacturers would be considerably undermined because consumers will have serious trust issues when it comes to the products that they find on retail shelves. Consequently, companies have to make sure that they label all their products based on their origins so that it can be possible for consumers, who are concerned about their health, to make informed decisions concerning what they are consuming. It will also ensure that there is an increase in the level of trust that consumers have towards food manufacturing companies. A major example of successful GMO labeling is that conducted in EU countries, which despite the process having been conducted have seen no increase in food costs, and have not had problems with consumer confusion over products (Bakar Webb). Instead, consumers have had confusion over foods alleviated through labeling; advancing their interests over those of manufacturing companies.

The labeling of GMO products by food manufacturers is an important step towards the promotion of the peace of mind of consumers. It will allow these individuals to ensure that they make informed decisions concerning the products that they are consuming, especially keeping in mind issues such as their health and safety. Because long term effects of GMO products have not been researched on independently, labeling these products could go a long way towards protecting consumer interests. It will further allow research on the subject to be more effectively conducted in the interest of finding out what the effects of GMO products on health are, in both the short- and long-term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Bakar Webb, A. "Declare Support for GMO-Free Zones." New Straits Times, 15 Mar, 2016, pp. 16, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Hanes, Stephanie. "GMO Labels: The Great American Food Fight." Christian Science Monitor, 25 Jun, 2016, pp. n/a, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Haspel, Tamar. "In the GMO Debate, we have to Weigh the Risks of Roundup." Washington Post, 07 Oct, 2015, pp. E.4, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Kimbrell, Andrew, and Nina Fedoroff. "Should Companies be Required to Label Genetically Modified Foods?" Wall Street Journal, 13 Jul, 2015, pp. R.1, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Rosen, Ben. "GMO Crops are Safe, Say Scientists. should they be Labeled Anyway?" Christian Science Monitor, 17 May, 2016, pp. n/a, SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.