California Takes Up Bill to Label Genetically Engineered Foods

Despite the defeat of Proposition 37, California continues the fight for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food. California State Senator Noreen Evans (D ? Santa Rosa) recently introduced a new bill to label GMO food sold in California. The bill is sponsored by a coalition of 16 environmental, consumer, food groups and small businesses called Californians for GE Food Labeling representing over a half million Californians. Like all gmo labeling bills introduced in the US, it will face opposition from pesticide corporations and industrial food manufacturers. Polls consistently show that over 90% of Americans and a high majority of Californians want meaningful labels that clearly identify GE foods. Connecticut and Maine, have already passed GMO labeling bills. The bill introduced by Senator Evans ? SB 1381 ? will be referred to committee in the coming weeks.

Michelle Obama Unveils Food Marketing Limits for Schools

First lady Michelle Obama announced on Tuesday a proposal that would ban marketing junk food and sodas in schools. If successful, schools would no longer be able to house vending machines that sport images of their flagship sodas. They would be prevented from having posters that promote unhealthy food and drinks or using cups in cafeterias that market high-calorie beverages. The proposal would require marketing of all food and drinks to fall in line with the same healthier standards that are expected to be required of foods sold during the 2014-15 school year. Both sets of measures, which go beyond the new school lunch and breakfast requirements, stem from the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Processing of ?Diseased and Unsound Animals? Linked to USDA Inspector Shortage

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is under fire over its shortage of meat and poultry inspectors after the federal agency failed to properly inspect more than 4,000 tons of tainted beef that was shipped throughout the country in 2013. President of the National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals, Stan Painter, said the lack of inspectors most likely played a role in the recall as workers were spread thin and did not have enough time to conduct a full federal inspection. The massive recall, which originated at the Rancho Feeding Corporation in Petaluma, CA, was announced earlier this month after nearly 8.7 million pounds of beef was processed from diseased animals.The meat was shipped to roughly 1,000 retailers in Alabama, California, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. This situation demonstrates how important it is that we demand that President Obama and Secretary Vilsack abandon their “Filthy Chicken Rule.”? Click here to learn more about this dangerous piece of legislation and to add your name to a letter to the president asking that he not put our food in greater risk.