The chicken at the grocery store might be labeled "naturally raised." The crackers might say "no GMOs" were used. The tomato could have a little green-and-white sticker that says "USDA Organic." The salmon might say "Wild Caught. Product of China."
The shelves and bins of our grocery stores are stocked with products labeled with such claims.
And this year, labels got even more complicated. Or not - depending on how you look at it.
The last 12 months have seen major changes in the way Americans will get information about their food. From the decision in January to allow meat and milk from cloned animals onto American tables to the more recent conversation about what constitutes an "organic" fish, it has been an active stretch.
"There have been a lot of big decisions this year," said Chris Waldrop, director of the Food Policy Institute at the Consumer Federation of America. "But," he stressed, "not all of them resulted in actual labeling."
The food and biotechnology industries have claimed labeling victories this year. Advocacy groups arguing for greater transparency and more information have, too. But as these parties hash out the issues at public hearings and in the media, the consumer is left holding the grocery bag, asking: What does it all mean?
...President-elect Barack Obama has said he would back labeling of genetically modified foods.
"We're really planning to pressure him on this," said Ronnie Cummins, director of the Organic Consumers Association. "The important thing is that consumers are now emboldened by the changes in Washington and encouraged by the fact that they're having an impact."
