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food groups, such as the Grocery Manufactur- Cascadian Farms Organic, Muir Glen, and Lar-
ers of America, have declared the defeat of this abar, contributed five hundred twenty thousand
consumer-right-to-know provision one of their dollars. Smucker, which owns R.W. Knudsen and
“top priorities.” Santa Cruz Organic, contributed three hundred
The controversy over Proposition 37 has eighty-seven thousand dollars.
brought new attention to the issue of “corporate In contrast, a few companies that are truly
organics” and so-called “natural” brands because committed to organic and natural health have
many of these companies have joined forces donated to support Proposition 37 and consum-
with the biotech industry to fight labeling. The ers’ right to know. These companies deserve a
reality is that many natural and organic brands special thanks for their commitment: Nature’s
are actually owned by the handful of huge com- Path, Dr. Bronner’s, Lundberg, Amy’s, Clif Bars,
panies that control so much of our food supply. Annie’s Homegrown, Nutiva, Organic Valley,
These companies don’t support organic or natural Glutino, Earth Balance, Udi’s Gluten-free, Late
food products―they have simply purchased the July Organic, OrganicVille, Sambazon, Eden and
brands in order to grab a share of what they view Earthbound Farm Organic. In addition, Dr. Mer-
as a lucrative niche market. These companies cola has donated eight hundred thousand dollars,
often sell more food that has GMO ingredients and individuals from across the country have
than organic food and don’t want consumers to donated over seven hundred thousand dollars to
have a choice about the GMO. They especially the Organic Consumers Association’s Fund for
don’t want consumers to know what is actually this campaign.
in their so-called “natural” products. Whether you live in California or not, Propo-
Most people assume that “natural” foods sition 37 will affect your food supply. The cor-
don’t have genetically engineered ingredients, porate giants are determined to defeat it because
but that is false. For example, Kashi, which mandatory labeling of GMOs in California would
proclaims its passion for “healthy, all-natural inevitably create huge pressure for nationwide
foods,” has GMO soy in its ingredients. Kashi labeling. If you live in California, take some time
is owned by Kelloggs, the multinational food to volunteer to help spread the word in your com-
manufacturing company that has contributed six munity. And for those elsewhere in the country,
hundred twelve thousand dollars to defeat Prop you can also help by reaching out to anyone you
37 and keep GMO labels off their products. know in California, as well as donating to the
Even some certified organic brands have campaign.
played the same shell game. Honest Tea, for ex- To see how much money different companies
ample, is USDA-certified organic, but is owned have donated, both for and against Proposition 37,
by Coca-Cola, which has contributed more than go to http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Mea-
one million dollars to defeat GMO labeling in sures/Detail.aspx?id=1344799&session=2011
California. Coke also owns Odwalla, which For more information on the California
produces “all-natural juices” and “nourishing Right to Know campaign, visit http://www.
protein bars,” and supposedly supports sustain- carighttoknow.org.
able agriculture.
Silk carries the “Non-GMO Project Veri- Whether you
fied” seal on its soy milk, coconut milk and
almond milk products. Both Silk and the Horizon live in
Organic brand tell their customers that the brands California or
oppose GMOs. Yet both are owned by Dean not,
Foods, which has contributed two hundred fifty-
three thousand dollars to defeat GMO labeling. Proposition
Seeds of Change, the organic seed and food 37 will affect
company, is owned by candy giant Mars, which your food
contributed one hundred thousand dollars to
defeat GMO labeling. General Mills, which owns supply.
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