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By 6.20 PST today, with 98.5% of votes counted, the results stood at 53% against, 47% in favor
GMO labeling initiative Proposition 37 has failed at the ballot box in California.
While early polls indicated strong support for the proposal, more recent polls suggested that this support was waning, and by the early hours of this morning, with more than 95% of the votes cast and 47% in favor vs 53% against , it appeared clear that the measure was not going to pass.
At the heart of Prop 37 was a requirement for companies to disclose if foods sold in California were “genetically engineered” (for raw agricultural commodities) or “may have been entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering” (for processed foods and supplements).
While supporters claimed that consumers have a right to know what is in their food, opponents argued it was a 'deeply flawed' initiative that would prompt a tidal wave of frivolous lawsuits and raise grocery bills without providing any health or safety benefits.
Monsanto and other large companies such as PepsiCo, Kraft, General Mills and DuPont spent $45m on advertising and lobbying for the "no" campaign, compared with a reported $6-8m for the "yes" campaign, which was largely funded by organic and natural foods food companies.
Supporters: Prop 37 was defeated by a 'wildly deceptive smear campaign'
In a press release entitled 'Chemical and Agribusiness Interests Defeat California’s Proposition 37', supporters of the initiative pledged to continue their campaign despite the setback.
“Californians and all Americans deserve the right to know what’s in their food,” said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives for Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports.
“Unfortunately, Proposition 37 was defeated by a wildly deceptive smear campaign financed by Monsanto, DuPont, and other industry opponents of the public’s right to know. In the end, opponents of Proposition 37 didn’t want Californians to be able to make informed decisions about whether to buy food that had been genetically engineered.”
Just Label It campaign director David Bancroft added that this was the beginning, not the end, of the campaign for GMO labeling: "Federal GE foods labeling must now be the focus."
No campaign: Food labeling policy should be based on logic and science, not fear
However, the 'No' campaign said the result showed that California voters had "seen through" Prop 37 as a flawed and unnecessary piece of legislation.
Henry I. Miller, M.D., a fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution and the founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology (1989-1993), said: “Food labeling policy should be based on logic and science, not fear.
"Leading scientific organizations have all agreed that foods containing genetically engineered ingredients are safe and are not materially different from their traditional counterparts. We’re glad the voters rejected this misleading, costly and unnecessary measure."
What happens next?
So what happens now?
Justin Prochnow, an attorney in the Denver office of law firm Greenberg Traurig, predicted that supporters of GMO labeling would not simply throw in the towel and give up.
He added: "I am sure the close margin will only encourage proponents to renew efforts next go-around, perhaps with some changes to the private right of action provisions which seem to be the real sticking point for many opponents.
"Lest you think that issue is tabled for now, I would still expect enterprising plaintiff lawyers to bring lawsuits for all-natural claims made with GMO ingredients."
Click here to read the official results.
Click here to find out more about the ‘vote no’ campaign.
Click here to find out more about the ‘vote yes’ campaign.
Click here to read the text of Proposition 37 (The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act).
7 comments (Comments are now closed)
GMO labeling
Prop 37 is not lost yet. We need 12000 signatures for our petition : USA people, sign in via internet. Anyone older than 13 years old. just clik : and help to make a difference in USA community
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/require-fda-require-labeling-food-contains-genetically-modified-organisms-gmos/LT4LYrmK
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Posted by Angela
16 November 2012 | 03h24
first battle was lost, but war will be won
prop 37 was rejected for the reason that too many people still do not understand what gmo are, are even unaware that they exist such as been the shameful silent introduction of these in the food systme. So it was easy for Monsanto 45 millions deceptive campaign to swing the opinion of ignorant voters. When people are aware and understand what gmo are, they will vote for the labeling , after all if they are so good, why do you want to hide them and force fed them upon us ?
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Posted by rebecca HH
14 November 2012 | 14h59
Hold your horses!
It ain't over folks! There are still over 3.33 MILLION votes not counted yet in California as of 11/9/2012. Only 589K separates the Prop 37 total. Counties have until Dec 7 and the State has until Dec 14th to certify totals. http://www.naturalnews.com/037901_prop_37_vote_fraud_ballot_measure.html
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Posted by Shannon Black
10 November 2012 | 20h17
Sadly, Monsanto wins again
What a heartwrending shame, with such horrific consequences for the consuming public and the environment. Hard to believe the California public would be so eager to give up their health and their basic rights. But you are correct, the rest of us are not going to take this lying down. There is far too much at stake. Obviously, not everybody was cowed and fooled by the lies told by agri-biz.
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Posted by Jennifer Christiano
09 November 2012 | 07h37
Lawsuit?
Why is a potential lawsuit against the advertising against prop 37 for blatant dishonesty discussed by everyone but you GMO supporting publications?
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Posted by Butch Johnson
08 November 2012 | 14h57
Fooled by money
So sad that California voters were fooled by ad campaign from corporations who do not want consumers to have freedom of choice.
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Posted by Betty T
07 November 2012 | 19h30
Genetically engeneered food act
The big companies have won again.
Big money had spend money to lie to the consumer. Why? because the products they make are flawed and harmful to you the public.
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Posted by Michael Kadin
07 November 2012 | 18h16
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