For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Genetic Engineering page and our Millions Against Monsanto page.

Starting today, thousands of Americans will march in protest from New York City all the way to Washington D.C. to demand clear, honest labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients.

Genetically modified foods are subject to disclosure and labeling requirements in many countries, but currently, United States law does not require food producers to label genetically modified foods sold to consumers as genetically modified. The only way for consumers who prefer not to eat genetically modified foods to avoid GMOs is to buy produce only from farmers they know, carefully research the origins of the food they purchase, or limit themselves to buying only food that either been certified by the USDA as organic or has been voluntarily labeled by its manufacturer and certified by a third party as non-GMO.

The organizers of the Right 2 Know March hope to change that. In 2010, October was declared Non-GMO Awareness Month by the Non-GMO Project, and this year, from October 1st through October 16th, protesters will march through several cities across the northeast, stopping at key points along the way to hold local rallies with guest speakers. Their goal? To convince the U.S. government to listen to the strong majority of Americans – 89% according to a recent New York Times poll – who want foods that contain genetically modified ingredients labeled.

Food Safety Concerns and Genetically Modified Foods

The creators of genetically modified crops insist that there is no need to label genetically engineered foods because, they claim, GMO foods are just as safe as traditional crops. Monsanto, the biotech giant responsible for the creation of genetically modified Roundup-Ready soybeans and corn, claims on its “food safety” page, “Yes, food derived from authorized genetically-modified (GM) crops is as safe as conventional (non-GM-derived) food.”