COM 0472.006 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE LABELING OF ALL FOOD PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE BEEN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED OR CONTAIN INGREDIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED. WHEREAS, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service, 92 percent of soybean acreage and 63 percent of corn acreage were genetically engineered in 2008; and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Food Safety, an estimated 70-75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves contain genetically engineered ingredients; and WHEREAS, scientific studies over the past decade have revealed that genetically engineered foods can be harmful to humans, domesticated animals, wildlife, and the environment; and WHEREAS, despite the risks, the United States government continues to allow American citizens to unknowingly consume genetically engineered foods; and WHEREAS, Consumer International was founded in 1960, and with over 220 member organizations in 115 countries, it is the world federation of consumer groups that serves as the only independent and authoritative global voice for consumers; and WHEREAS, according to Consumer International, there are more than 40 countries that already have mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, accounting for roughly one- third of the world's population, which includes Australia, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, and the European Union (consists of 27 member states); and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 25, which was unanimously approved in 2005 by Alaska's House and Senate and signed into law by Governor Frank Murkowski as Chapter 26 SLA 05, requires all genetically engineered fish and shell fish to be conspicuously labeled, whether packaged or unpackaged; and WHEREAS, Chapter 26 SLA 05 is the first labeling law in the United States for genetically engineered foods; and WHEREAS, in 2002, Oregon added Measure 27 to the state's ballot that would have required labeling of genetically engineered foods, but the measure was defeated; however, it should be noted that a coalition of corporate giants spent $5.5 million to campaign against the measure; and WHEREAS, the following are the eight basic consumer rights, which were adopted by the United Nations' General Assembly in 1985: 1. The right to safety: To be protected against products, production processes, and services which are hazardous to health and/or life.