This Halloween parents all across this country checked the trick or treat loot food labels for allergenic and other information they consider important to the health of their children. These labels have been around for several years and we all have come to rely on them in making our personal health and taste choices regarding foods. Since the time food labels were first required a major change has occurred in the way our food is produced. Huge multinational agribusiness corporations have learned how to genetically modify our food in their laboratories to make it cheaper to produce and more profitable when they sell it to us.

In 1993 we were the first state in the nation to require that salmon be labeled to show where it came from and whether it was farm raised or wild. Now Washington state voters have a chance to lead our nation by voting yes on Initiative 522 to require that genetically modified food be labeled as such. As in 1993 we want to know what we are buying to eat.

The agribusiness conglomerates have spent huge sums to stop us from making them tell us what they are feeding us, even as they have tried to hide the names of their contributors and the amount of contributions. Their negative ads present arguments that are easily refuted. GMO labeling will not add to the expense of food, since these multinationals already label GMO food in 64 countries where they are legally required to make disclosure. The argument that it is misleading to exempt certain foods from the requirement is ironic, actually arguing that the labeling proposal does not go far enough. Finally they argue that administering the law will be expensive, even though the voters’ pamphlet analysis by the state Office of Financial Management shows the cost will be minimal, certainly way less than the GMO industries have contributed to the campaign to keep us in the dark.

A Yes vote on I-522 will make us better informed in choosing the food we buy.

Tom Blake,
Renton