US citizens: you’ve fought for years for labelling of genetically engineered (GE or GMO) food. Now is your chance to finally get it

As you may remember, a “compromise” bill on GMO labelling was passed last year, but a lot of the decisions about what foods would be labeled, and how they would be labeled, were left up to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The law includes labelling options other than on-package labelling, such as QR codes and websites, which would only serve to hide the information this law was passed to provide.

Big Ag and food companies have made it clear which option they support for labelling: QR codes. They know consumers don’t use these codes and that “labelling” via QR codes is really no labelling all. The agency has heard from big corporations – now they need to hear from you!

Tell the USDA that GMO labelling must be clear and on the package!

Only 64% of Americans own a smartphone. That means that more than a third of all Americans will not be able to access GMO information if products are labeled with QR codes. Moreover, those left out are disproportionately low income and those living in rural areas. According to Pew Research Center, only 50% of low income people in the U.S. own a smartphone; only 52% of rural Americans own a smartphone; and only 27% of seniors own a smartphone. Even those who do own smartphones are not guaranteed consistent access to the internet. At the end of the day, a substantial number of Americans would be deprived of their right to know if GMO labelling were implemented through QR codes.