For Immediate Release: May 28, 2014
Contact: Paul Towers, 916-216-1082, ptowers@panna.org
LA City Council Unanimously Endorses Bill to Label GMOs
Today the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution endorsing SB 1381 (Evans) to label genetically engineered foods. The endorsement comes as the full Senate prepares to vote on the bill that would give consumers the right to know about GMOs. The vote could occur as soon as tomorrow.
"We're thrilled with the support of the LA City Council and we look forward to the discussion in the California Senate about our right to know what's in our food and how it's grown," said Kristin Urquiza, co-coordinator of Californians for GE Food Labeling. "California is at the leading edge of states that want to provide more information and choice in our food system."
Following is a statement from LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz, who authored the resolution in support of SB 1381.
"During the Proposition 37 GMO labeling campaign, the pesticide and junk food companies spent over $40 million on television and radio commercials, deceived the voting public and undermined our democracy. Now, with SB 1381, we have an excellent chance to set things right. To show the people of California that their representatives speak for openness and transparency in a most fundamental right: knowing what is in the food we eat.
"I am proud of the LA City Council's unanimous vote today in strong support of SB 1381. And I'm concerned that people in Europe, and especially in China and Russia, have more rights to know what is in the food they are eating than we do in the United States. SB 1381 will change that and I strongly support the transparency it brings to every meal I eat."
