Attacks on Cargill over Non-GMO Moves Based on Fear

When grain processing giant Cargill recently tweeted that it was working closely with the Non-GMO Project about verifying the company’s ingredients, GMO supporters had a Twitter fit.

Canadian farmer Chris Allam called the company’s work with the Non-GMO Project, “a slap in the face.” “I have a problem with Cargill dealing with someone who is staunchly against it,” he wrote.

Monsanto’s director of millennial engagement (interesting title!) Vance Crow wrote “In case you missed it @Cargill is now proudly talking about working closely with the non-GMO verified project-the fear mongers themselves.”

“Careful what you tweet…especially if you’re a company kicking your suppliers in the face,” chimed in @farmdaughterusa (Amanda Zaluckyj).

The media followed with articles like “Cargill Link to Anti-GMO Group Spurs Criticism From Farmers” by Bloomberg and “How a moment that looked like PR win for Cargill turned into a kerfuffle” by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Cargill defended its work with the Non-GMO Project in a statement: “Cargill is working with the Non-GMO Project to verify several of our non-GMO ingredients because of consumer demand for non-GMO foods, and the Non-GMO Project is the most-requested third party certification among our food and beverage customers.”