Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Maryland HB 1261, Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act

Delegate Afzali

Delegate Schulz

Maryland House of Delegates


March 31, 2011


Dear Delegate,


I run a small organic farming operation in Frederick County and I am

writing to ask your support and co-sponsorship of H.B. 1261, Maryland's

Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act.


This bill simply requires that foods containing more than 1% genetically

engineered ingredients be labeled as such. I think the last study I looked

at showed that 88% of Americans support this kind of labeling.


We label foods containing all kinds of things like MSG, aspartame, and

corn syrup but not so for GMO products.


Recently, experiences in Pennsylvania regarding the use of growth hormone

in cows showed strong public support of labeling of milk produced using

bHCG.


Unfortunately, the federal government has refused to require this kind of

labeling. The U.S.D.A. and the F.D.A. continue to approve new G.M.O.'s

like alfalfa even with inadequate long-term health studies and the risks

of contamination of non-GMO seed banks.


Please co-sponsor this bill and let consumers decide whether they want to

eat GMO-containing products using their pocketbook.



Sincerely,


Kent Ozkum

Whitmore Farm

10720 Dern Road

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

No comments:

Post a Comment