Green News & Events
GMA Members Set To Label GMOs
In light of last week’s Senate failure to pass the DARK Act, which would have stomped states’ rights to label GMOs, the writing was on the wall: Federal policy is set to follow the will of the American people, 94% of which are in favor of our right to label GMOs. Still, the lightning-fast way that major manufacturers like General Mills and Kellogg’s announced plans to label GMOs on product packaging was a surprise. What does the Grocery Manufacturers Association have to do with it?
DARK Act Fails in Senate!
We did it! Thanks to everyone who called or tweeted your Senator and helped S. 2609 FAIL a Senate vote yesterday. If you’re just tuning in, the bill was better known as Deny Americans the Right to Know–or the DARK Act–because it would have prohibited states the right to GMO labeling, even where the legislation had already passed. Think we’re done? Not even! I’ve got the list of Republicans who voted WITH 90% of Americans who want the right to GMO labeling in shutting down S. 2609, plus the list of Democrats who voted to pass the DARK Act. (Boo… Hiss…) There is a chance that this legislation will be…
GMO Labeling Just Got Real
I just called my Senator. Up until now, I’ve been more interested in social media action, but the stakes are so high today that I had to take all steps possible. You see, tomorrow the Senate will decide whether or not to pass S. 2609–also known as the “Deny Americans the Right to Know” or DARK Act. After the House of Representatives passed it last year, the Senate is our last line of defense. The DARK Act would make it illegal for states to require GMO labeling and would override GMO labeling bills already in place–regardless of the fact that 94% of Americans want GMO labeling. Luckily, the Senate also has another bill…
Berkeley Researchers Test Toxic Beauty Detox
There’s so much gloom and doom in the story about beauty products. From the “Stink!” documentary’s exploration of the “fragrance loophole” to tests that found lead in 60% of lipsticks (yes, really) getting ready is like walking through a haunted house: fear at every turn. My thought process tends to go something like… This sample mascara is amazing, but is the company that makes it is hiding mercury in the formula? I love my new deodorant, but am I dousing my lymph nodes with cancer-causing chemicals? I’ve swapped out hair dye for henna and greened my makeup routine, but the fear of hidden chemicals means sometimes I feel like hiding my (unwashed) head under a rock,…
FDA to Test Safety of Roundup Residue
Last year, the World Health Organization announced that glyphosate–the world’s most widely used herbicide also known as Roundup–was a “probable human carcinogen.” Shortly thereafter, French officials banned sales of Roundup nationwide as Monsanto, Roundup’s manufacturer, prepared to stand trial for “crimes against humanity and the environment” in The Hague. The previous year, our own Government Accountability Office called out the Food and Drug Administration for its failure to test Roundup through the pesticide monitoring program because it was too “costly.” Then, studies released by private consumer groups like Moms Across America found that 70% of our water contained Roundup, and that our urine showed levels 10 times greater than that of Europeans. So really, what else could the FDA do?
More Plastic in Oceans Than Fish?
I was startled when I read this prediction: By 2050, we’ll have more plastic in oceans than fish. Today, by weight we have about 20% plastic in oceans, as compared to fish, which is still a startling statistic. But a new report shows that we may have passed the tipping point. Why–and what can you do? Read on!
EPA Scientists Fact Check Fracking Study
Did the EPA misread its own fracking study? If you didn’t already mistrust the Environmental Protection Agency, how’s this for a story: In June, the EPA released a report on a fracking study that found no “wide, systematic impacts on drinking water.” Yet this week, the EPA’s Science Advisory Board came out swinging against the fracking study findings.
Campbell Opts For GMO Labeling, Against GMA
Talk about taking a stand. The Campbell company just announced they are moving towards GMO labeling, whether the federal government likes it or not. This makes Campbell the first major food company to stand up in favor of GMO labeling, which is now supported by nine out of 10 Americans, according to Just Label It. But that’s not all.
