Former Kellogg executive George Franklin describes the current debate over labeling food that has genetically modified organisms, or GMO’s a “combustible confluence of substance, process and politics.”
Franklin, a former Western Michigan Trustee, and the author of the book Cereal Wars, 30 Years Lobbying for the Most Famous Tiger in the World, is now retired from Kellogg. Franklin says he doesn’t have a ‘dog in the fight” over a new Vermont law, which goes into effect July first. But he says that law which would require GMO labeling in one state could determine how 60-70% of food in a grocery store is labeled.
Voters in four states have rejected GMO labeling when it was on the ballot. Franklin says the debate has also turned the political world upside down. Republicans who normally favor states’ rights, are arguing for federal preemption of the Vermont law. Democrats are, for the most part, advocating letting the state enact its own rules on food safety. Franklin says it’s a complex issue because it involves suppliers.
Asked why companies should object to labeling that lets consumers know that food contains GMO’s, Franklin says most scientists and the Food and Drug Administration have not found a difference between food with and without GMO’s.
While he is no longer involved in the details of lobbying and lawmaking, Franklin says he expects Congress to reach an agreement. He says the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Pat Roberts, and the ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan are both skilled lawmakers. Franklin says they have been negotiating legislation that would preempt Vermont’s law. He says if other states follow suit with slightly different laws, it might create a patchwork of food regulations.
Franklin says the final bill could include a compromise such as smart labels that could be read by a smart phone to reveal if GMO’s have been used.
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