Institute for Responsible Technology

Institute for Responsible Technology
website link:  http://www.responsibletechnology.org/

THE CAMPAIGN FOR HEALTHIER EATING IN AMERICA

Our goal is to stop the genetic engineering of our food supply.

Although the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be one of the most dangerous health and environmental problems we face, it can be one of the easiest of the battles to win. The key is found in the tipping point, whereby a small number of individuals can move the market, forcing GMOs out of our nation’s food supply.
Even a small percentage of shoppers avoiding genetically modified (GM) brands is enough to trigger an industry-wide cleanout. It’s been done before! The Europe Union reached a consumer- driven tipping point in April 1999 and within a single week, virtually all major manufacturers publicly committed to stop using GM ingredients in their European brands. This has kept GMOs out of food in the EU, in spite of government approvals. Similarly, consumer concern about possible links to cancer forced Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Kroger, Dannon, Yoplait and most of the 100 top US dairiesto remove products from cows treated with genetically modified recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST).

It’s time to turn GMOs into a marketing liability and reach the tipping point against all GM ingredients.

Our Campaign For Healthier Eating in America educates the public about the documented health risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with our GMO Health Risks brochure and provides a simple way for shoppers to find healthier non-GMO choices at the market with our Non-GMO Shopping Guide.

Already, 87 million consumers in the United States believe that genetically modified (GM) foods aren’t safe and 159 million say they would avoid GMOs if given a choice. Biotech companies knew this, which is why they went to such great lengths to avoid having them labeled. By educating health-conscious shoppers about GM food dangers and providing clear choices, brands without GM ingredients will have the clear advantage. As millions switch to healthier brand choices based on GMO content, it is just a matter of time before the food industry responds.

The critical number to reach the tipping point in the US could be as little as 5% - 15 million people or 5.6 million US households—simply switching brands to avoid GMOs as they shop. In 2009 Non-GMO labels became the fastest growing store label. And, everyday, more people are getting the facts, joining the Campaign, and buying Non-GMO. We’ve created the Non-GMO Shopping Guide online and the “ShopNoGMO” iPhone App free at the iTunes App store. Retail stores nationwide are displaying our Non-GMO Education Centers filled with books, DVDs, and free brochures that drive home the message that “Healthy eating starts with no GMOs.”

Our Campaign has reached out nationwide to health conscious Consumers, Parents, Schools, Chefs, Healthcare Practitioners, Environmental and Faith-based Groups, and Food Manufacturers who are receptive to our message. Each of these groups alone is potentially large enough to achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of GMOs in our entire US food supply. We welcome you (and your organization) to join us; we have a wide range of campaign materials on this website to help you efforts.

Our Action Tool Kit will lead you through the steps you can take to engage your community, helping build the Campaign’s momentum by focusing the purchasing power of health-conscious shoppers like yourself.