Farming

The food industry is in cahoots with the pesticide industry to keep Californians in the dark about what is really in their food.  American consumer products are owned by only a few corporate giants known as “Big Food”.  These corporations in addition to the “Big 6” companies in the pesticide industry are doing everything in their power to ensure that California’s Proposition 37 does not get passed.  Prop 37 is a bill that will allow companies to label food made with genetically engineered crops, which have previously been under the guise of “all natural”.  This will allow people to know if the food they are consuming has been genetically altered in any way.  The reason for this epic tag team of the food and pesticide industries is due to the fact that 99% of all genetically modified foods have been engineered to either contain pesticides or to withstand the application of these chemicals.  Since their fates are intertwined, they teamed up to contribute a whopping $25 million to ensure the failure of Prop 37.

Although we do not yet fully understand the long term consequences of consuming genetically engineered foods or foods doused in pesticides, it is believed that Autism, ADHD, Cancer, and Reproductive Complications are all linked to the use of genetically engineered crops.  Pesticides are also a large proponent of environmental degradation.

It is clear why the food and pesticide industries are throwing millions of dollars at this bill.  If passed, proposition 37 could potentially force these industries to alter the way they do business.  But from where I’m standing that is a good thing.  Freedom of knowledge and information is (or should be) our most basic right as Americans.  Californians should be given the opportunity to make an educated decision on what they eat and feed their families.  No amount of money should sway the outcome of bills that will impact millions of people.  Regardless of the outcome of Prop 37 I strongly urge everyone to research the food you are consuming before you eat it.