For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s All about Organics page, Whole Foods and the Myth of Natural page, Genetic Engineering page, and our Millions Against Monsanto page.

Whole Foods customers have a love/hate relationship with the natural and organic foods giant. They have run afoul of their customer base before – remember the mass outcry and call for boycott as a result of comments thrown about by the CEO regarding health care rights (http://www.naturalnews.com/026906_f…)? Now there is the issue of mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods being bandied about in a variety of state legislatures – an effort that recent polls indicate 90 percent of America is in favor of – and Whole Foods is again being called upon to make a decision that is aligned with their espoused business mission.

The problem is a recently leaked internal memo that doesn’t indicate their readiness to do so. The memo, in short, acknowledges the dangers of genetically modified foods, yet falls of any real commitment, stating “the reality is that no grocery store in the United States, no matter what size or type of business, can claim they are GE-free…”

Critics are insisting that this isn’t enough. The Whole Foods brand is built upon the basic tenant that their products are natural or organic and a good choice for the eco-organic conscious consumer. So for them not to pick up and unquestionably support the movement for mandatory labeling of GE food is for some another disappointing move.