National Environmental
Health Association Resolution Regarding
Genetically Modified Organisms
Adopted by NEHA Board of Directors April 29, 2000
Adopted by NEHA Council of Delegates June 18, 2000
WHEREAS, in 1998 the European Union ruled that food manufacturers must state on a label when genetically modified ingredients have been used, and
WHEREAS, GMO labeling regulations are
now (1999) in effect in Europe,
and
WHEREAS, NEHA’s counterpart in the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute For environmental Health has adopted a policy position that supports a five-year freeze against genetically modified organisms, and
WHEREAS, the British Medical Association has recommended that genetically engineered foods be labeled, and
WHEREAS, Australia, New Zealand and Japan have required mandatory GEF labels, and
WHEREAS, an estimated 60% of processed food now contain some genetically engineered foods, and
WHEREAS, legislation has now been introduced into the United States Congress that calls for the labeling of products that contain genetically engineered crops, and
WHEREAS, opposition to labeling based on findings that genetically modified food products are safe discounts issues of consumer sovereignty and bioethical concerns, and
WHEREAS, labeling both upholds and is consistent with the environmental “right to know” value that is core to environmental programs in this country, and
WHEREAS, legitimate consumer interests ranging from a desire to avoid allergic reactions to the opportunity to exercise informed buying decisions are made possible by labeling, and
WHEREAS, a 1992 interim report on a survey by the USDA’s Extension Service revealed that 85% of the American public that was surveyed feel it is important to label foods if biotechnology is used, and
WHEREAS, in a 1999 Time magazine poll, 81% of respondents wanted genetically engineered food labeled,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that NEHA declare its support for the "understandable" labeling of any food product that contains GMOs, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any labeling program not exempt soy oil and soy derivatives such as lecithin, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NEHA make public this position, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NEHA lend its support to the passage of H.R. 3883, the Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act, which calls for the labeling of food products that include GMOs.
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