THE MILLION MOMS4POP PLEDGE FOR HEALTHY FOODS AND CHOICES  *Note: We will have an online version soon – please let us know if you sign this pledge.)

POP Campaign (Preserve Organic Power)• MOMS4POP, Hippocrates Health Institute  – Green Your SPIRIT • Sprout Foundation

This POP Campaign pledge for Moms and Heads of Households is a blueprint for action in Preserving healthy food and supplements and the right to choose.

AS A MOM4POP, I recognize that I am the primary caretaker in the healthy blueprint for organic, alive, nutritient dense food and supplements. I know that the power of organic food lies in its quality, vitality,and aliveness and that access is a fundamental human right. I know that eating healthy organic nutrient dense foods are best for my health. I choose food that is the result of pure seeds, sustainable farming practices, human dignity, economic affordabiity, and local -without deceptive advertizing, manipulation, misleading labels, or genetically altered genes. My greatest assets are my power to choose and my voice to be heard.

Therefore, I am committed to the following:

• I PLEDGE to transition to 75% to 100% organic food as much as possible for myself, my family and children by December 31, 2013;
• I PLEDGE to educate myself on GE (Genetically Engineered) food and supplements and to avoid purchasing these for myself and my family and children whenever possible;
• I PLEDGE to become a voice in the lives of my family and community by sharing what I know about healthier food choices
• I PLEDGE to establish a healthy food legacy for the children of my home, my community and the world;
• I PLEDGE to declare that the right to quality, unaltered food the way nature intended is a Human Right;
• I PLEDGE to protect the highest standards for organic, alive, nutritious, sustainable foods, seeds and whole food supplements;
• I PLEDGE to be a MOM4POP who continually educates myself about healthier food and supplement choices, speaks out boldly, supports government policies that support my pledge, and makes a difference by my actions and pocketbook.

Name:

Email:

City and Zip Code:

send to –  rudi@popcampaign.org

Fax to:  202-228-2382

Senator Barbara Boxer

112 Hard Senate Office Building

Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator Boxer:

As a California resident, a supporter of the POP Campaign and a MOM4POP, I am writing to ask that you do all you can to promote and protect organic foods. I am very concerned that the FDA has dropped the ball on mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.  As one of your constituents, I am asking that you introduce legislation as soon as possible to require mandatory clear labeling of foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients.

I have made a pledge to do my part to keep my family healthy and to support California organic farms by consuming mostly organic and sustainable foods.

STATE SOMETHING PERSONAL: FOR EXAMPLE: I am increasingly concerned about contamination of our organic food supply by genetically engineered materials and want stronger protections. OR I want stronger protections OR I want my choices at the supermarket to be very clearly labeled OR I am fearful that my child will purchase GE foods and not know the difference at the supermarket.

I need you to help me keep my pledge.

Sincerely,

Name:

Email:

Address (at minimum city and zip code)

55 Senate and House Lawmakers Call on Agency to Ensure Consumers Can Make Informed Choices About What They Eat

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) today joined with 53 other Senate and House lawmakers in sending a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they feed their families.

The Senate and House lawmakers wrote in support of a petiton– supported by hundreds of organizations and businesses – that calls on the FDA to protect consumers’ rights by ensuring that all genetically engineered foods are properly labeled. Polls have consistently shown that consumers are surprised to learn that genetically engineered foods are not identified and they strongly support a federal requirement to label these products.

The lawmakers wrote, “We urge you to fully review the facts, law, and science, and side with the American public by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods as is done in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. FDA has a clear opportunity to protect a consumer’s right to know, the freedom to choose what we feed our families, and the integrity of our free and open markets with this petition.”

In addition to Senator Boxer and Congressman DeFazio, the letter was signed by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representatives Richard Hanna (R-NY), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), George Miller (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Hansen Clarke (D-MI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), James Moran (D-VA), John Olver (D-MA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Pete Stark (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Robert Brady (D-PA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-NY), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Mel Watt (D-NC), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Grace Napolitano (D-CA).

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is below:

March 12, 2012
The Honorable Margaret Hamburg
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740-3835

Dear Commissioner Hamburg,

We write to you in support of a recent legal petition, supported by over 400 organizations and businesses, to protect consumer rights and prevent consumer deception by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods. FDA’s regulatory regime for food labeling is inadequate and uses 19th century concepts to regulate 21st century food technologies.

As you know, in its 1992 policy statement, FDA allowed GE foods to be marketed without labeling because they were not “materially” different from other foods. In that policy statement, the agency severely limited what it considered “material” to only changes in food that could be recognized by taste, smell, or other senses. The use of novel food technologies like genetic engineering on a commercial scale has so far slipped underneath FDA’s limited threshold for “materiality” because such technologies make silent, genetic, and molecular changes to food that are not capable of being detected by human senses. In its 2009 guidance to industry, FDA applied its outdated GE food labeling policy to GE animals without revisiting the scientific or legal merits of the standard. This decision is especially troubling given FDA’s current consideration of a GE salmon that would be the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption.

At issue is the fundamental right consumers have to make informed choices about the food they eat. Labeling foods doesn’t imply a product is unsafe or will be confusing to consumers as some may argue. The FDA requires the labeling of over 3,000 ingredients, additives, and processes; providing basic information doesn’t confuse the public, it empowers them to make choices. Absent labeling, Americans are unable to choose for themselves whether to purchase GE foods. Polls have consistently shown that consumers are not only surprised to know that GE foods are not identified, but that they want the federal government to label these products. Since the labeling petition was filed in October 2011, nearly a million comments have been submitted in support of labeling.

The FDA has the opportunity and authority to do right by the American public. When issuing its rule requiring irradiated foods to be labeled, FDA stated in broad terms that a decision to require labeling is not just based on the physical changes to the food but also on whether consumers view such information as important, and whether the omission of label information may mislead a consumer. The fact that FDA has already adopted this broad interpretation of “material” facts demonstrates that it is a reasonable—and therefore permissible—interpretation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

We urge you to fully review the facts, law, and science, and side with the American public by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods as is done in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. FDA has a clear opportunity to protect a consumer’s right to know, the freedom to choose what we feed our families, and the integrity of our free and open markets with this petition. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Cc: Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods

There are a number of issues in motion on this topic (POP is IN ACTION) …We are rallying together to preserve our access to PURE ORGANIC FOODS and to choose vibrant health for our inner AND outer environment, as well as educating the masses, policy makers and congress on these issues… it’s time to take the “sneakiness out” of labeling.

You can make a big difference NOW by taking actions below… make a call and fax a letter …and please donate to POP to continue all these efforts.

Also, check out this signed copy of the GE Congressional Dear Colleagues letter for a Bicameral Letter to the FDA Here and see a list of Kucinich Bills and co-sponsor tallies below.

What can you do to help?

1) NOW – CALL & WRITE YOUR TWO SENATORS & YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
Here are the links for names and phone numbers to  The House and The Senate and see those who have already signed below.

A. Phone Calls: Tell him or her that you want mandatory labeling on ALL genetically engineered (or GMO) foods.

- Remind them this is a Non-partisan issue and is important to you and your family.

- This is simply truth in labeling – consumers, including you, have the right to know.

- He/she needs to Co-sponsor HR 3553 (Kucinich –see below)

- There is currently a Dear Colleague letter from Senator Boxer and Congressman Defazio asking for signatures on a Bicameral letter to the FDA supporting the Citizens Petition on mandatory labeling – please support this and sign it.

- More than 20 groups and thousands of citizens have sent a Citizens Petition to the FDA asking for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods – consumers are concerned.

B. Fax Your Follow-up Letter: The most impact is following up your call with a short letter faxed – see the bicameral colleague letter below – and an example of a letter:

To Your Senator

The Honorable (full name)
Room # (  ), Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator (name):

To Your Representative:

The Honorable (full name)
(Room #)House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable (Name):

I am writing to tell you that I want mandatory labeling on ALL genetically engineered (GE/GMO) foods.  This is a simple truth in labeling concern where every consumer should have the right to know clearly what he or she is buying.  This is as important to my family as I am certain it is to yours. This is a non-partisan issue.

I am asking that you

1. Sign the Dear Colleague letter from Senator Boxer and Congressman Defazi for a bicameral letter to the FDA to require mandatory labeling and support the Citizens Petition; and,

2. Support and cosponsor HR 3533 Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (Kucinich – see below) and any similar Senate Bill that might be introduced.

There have been thousands of concerned citizen and over 400 organizations and groups across the country concerned about GE labeling.  The time has come to secure a legacy of healthy food for our children for generations to come.

Respectfully,

(Your Signature)

2) GET INVOLVED IN TALKING to candidates and policy makers at all levels of government during this 2012 election cycle. Share knowledge with them and your concerns about protecting organic foods; that quality farming is important to you; and, that you want mandatory labeling of all genetically engineered foods.

3) SUPPORT OUR POP CAMPAIGN EFFORTS – donate or call 415-999-9414 to participate in many other ways.

References:

GMO Bills: Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Democrat from Ohio introduced three bills regarding genetically engineered foods and seeds – for viewing the complete bills, lease link to    http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php

H.R.3553: Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act – 19 Co-sponsors

H.R.3554: Genetically Engineered Safety Act – 3 Co-sponsors

H.R.3555: Genetically Engineered Technology Farmer Protection Act – 4 Co-sponsors

Colleague Letter for a Bicameral Letter to the FDA:

Congressman Peter Defazio and Senator Barbara Boxer sent a letter to their colleagues on February 9^th asking them to sign onto a letter to the FDA, calling for the FDA to implement mandatory labeling., in alignment with a Citizens Petition submitted.

The following Senators have already signed on: Boxer (CA) Begich (AK) Tester (MT) and Wyden (OR) The following Representative have already signed the letter: DeFazio (OR) Hanna (R-NY) Pingree ME) Kucinich (OH) McGovern (MA) Moran (VA) Stark (CA) Farr (CA) George Miller (CA) and Polis (CO), Filner (CA).

The POP Campaign, with you, is reaching out to legislators, educating them on Genetically Engineered labeling issues and encouraging their signature on a bicameral letter with Senator Boxer and Congressman Defazio.

Click this link to see the letter:

GE Food Labeling Dear Colleague 2.8.12

Date:  ___________________

Representative _________________

US House of Representatives

Washington, DC

Dear Representative:

As my voice in Washington, I request that you co-sponsor HR 3553, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. I, like a majority of Americans agree, with the findings of this bill that “genetically engineering foods results in the material change of such foods” and therefore according to a currently unenforced law, this material fact should be clearly provided on food labels.  Voluntary labeling has proven ineffective, therefore; mandatory labeling is urgently needed.

I want to know about when food contains or is produced with a genetically engineered material. The government has done a dismal job of protecting the public by allowing so many genetically engineered products into the food supply.  A mandatory label will at least give consumers accurate information so we can make our own choices in the marketplace.

Many Americans need to know of the potential transfer of allergens into food and other health risks.  I am concerned about potential environmental risks associated with the genetic engineering of crops; and many Americans have religiously and ethically based dietary restrictions which require labeling of genetically engineered foods.  Worldwide consumers and farmers are concerned about the entrance of plant and animal species that have been genetically engineered.  HR 3553 is a good first step on the right course of protecting heritage species and consumer choice.

American Consumers like our global neighbors have been vocal about our desire to have accurate labeling foods regarding the inclusion of genetically engineered ingredients.  A major advance took place in the international regulatory body, the Codex Alimentarius in 2011 when the delegation from the United States removed its decade long objection to a confirmation that individual nations may establish regulations regarding genetically engineered foods.

Members of the United States Congress have introduced legislation in response to growing concerns from consumers and the agricultural community that genetically engineered (sometimes referred to as ‘bioengineered’ or ‘genetically modified’ or “GMO”) seeds and foods are entering the marketplace without adequate protections to the organic/heritage seeds and without truthful labeling. Alaska legislators stood in defense of wild raised salmon last winter with bills and legislative maneuvers to keep the Federal Government (USDA/FDA) from approval genetically engineered salmon.  Congressman Kucinich has reintroduced 3 bills this term. These three bills address three aspects of genetic engineering including labeling, cultivation, and litigation.

From my meetings on the Hill with staff in Tea Party and conservative Republicans, the labeling bill (HR 355) is the one which will most easily gain bi-partisan support.

A Call to Action (1 page fax, email alert, phone calls) will be needed to generate support on these issues. A draft 1 page fax is in the works.

The Below Summary is provided by Representative Kucinich’s Office

Rep. Kucinich Genetically Engineered Food Legislation: A 3-Piece Framework:

I. The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act:

What the bill does:

• Requires food companies to label all foods that contain or are produced with genetically engineered (GE) material and requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to periodically test products to ensure compliance;
• Authorizes voluntary, non-GE food labels, exempting food served in restaurants;
• Establishes a legal framework is to ensure the accuracy of labeling without creating significant economic hardship on the food production system.

II. The Genetically Engineered Safety Act:

What the bill does:

• Requires the FDA to screen all GE foods through the current food additive process to ensure safety for human consumption. Continues FDA discretion in applying the safety factors that are generally recognized as appropriate;
• Places a temporary moratorium on pharmaceutical crops and industrial crops until all regulations required by the bill are in effect;
• Requires that unique concerns regarding GE foods be explicitly examined in the review process; provides for a phase out of antibiotic resistance markers; implements a prohibition on known allergens; and requires the FDA to conduct a public comment period of at least 30 days;
• Places a permanent moratorium on pharmaceutical crops and industrial crops grown in an open-air environment and on pharmaceutical crops and industrial crops grown in a commonly used food source;
• Requires the United States Department of Agriculture to establish a tracking system to regulate the growing, handling, transportation, and disposal of all pharmaceutical and industrial crops and their byproducts to prevent contamination;
• Calls on the National Academy of Sciences to submit to Congress a report that explores alternative methods to produce pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals that have the advantage of being conducted in controlled production facilities and do not present the risk of contamination.

III. The Genetically Engineered Technology Farmer Protection Act:

What the bill does:

• Farmers may save seeds and seek compensation for failed genetically engineered crops;
• Biotech companies may not: shift liability to farmers; nor require access to farmer’s property; nor mandate arbitration; nor mandate court of jurisdiction; nor require damages beyond actual fees; nor charge more to American farmers for use of this technology, than they charge farmers in other nations, or any other unfair condition;
• Seed companies must: ensure seeds labeled non-GE are accurate; provide clear instructions to reduce cross-pollination, which contaminates other fields; and inform farmers of the risks of using genetically engineered crops;
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to evaluate the concern of Bt resistant pests and take actions necessary to prevent resistance to Bt, an important organic pesticide;
• Prohibits genetic engineering designed to produce sterile seeds;
• Loan discrimination based on the choice of seeds an agricultural producer uses is prohibited;
• Place all liability from negative impacts of genetically engineered organisms squarely upon the biotechnology companies that created the genetically engineered organism;
• Farmers are granted indemnification to protect them from the liabilities of biotech companies;
• Prohibits any transfer of liability away from the biotechnology companies that created the genetically

Part of the growing trend to consumer organic foods is seen in farmers’ markets.  A recent article in the Greenville News stated, “Farmers’ markets play a major role in the economic growth of the state,” said Hugh Weathers, South Carolina’s commissioner of agriculture. “When people visit farmers’ markets, it’s more than just a place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s an opportunity to help maintain important social ties, linking urban and rural populations.”

While the US Government still seems focused on promoting the industry position of biotech plants and chemical pesticides, other nations, like American consumers are focused on promoting organics.  For example, in India, the government has recently launched a campaign to promote organic farming. The government is offering subsidies to farmers for taking up organic farming of vegetables and to check rampant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on vegetable farms. They are moving to increase organic farming from 500 hectares to 6,000 hectares over the next four years in one district and 8,570 in another district. This clearly is an example that the US could follow –especially in relationship to the Farm Bill subsidies allocations coming up in 2012.

Minnesota and California Courts Rule for Organic Farmer – Some Strides

The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently ruled that a large organic farm surrounded by chemical-laden conventional farms can seek damages for lost crops, as well as lost profits, caused by the illegal trespassing of pesticides and herbicides on its property.  Oluf and Debra Johnson’s 1,500-acre organic farm has repeatedly been contaminated by nearby conventional and GMO farms since the couple started it in the 1990s. A local pesticide cooperative known as Paynesville Farmers Union (PFU), which is near the farm, has been cited at least four times for violating pesticide laws, and inadvertently causing damage to the Johnson’s farm.  The first time it was realized that pesticides had drifted onto the Johnson’s farm in 1998, PFU apologized, but did not agree to pay for damages. The Johnson’s took their loss the first time, but after PFU continued to break the law three more years in a row, and spray chemicals on windy days, thus contaminating the organic crop, the Johnson’s sued and settled out of court, a settlement which meant they sold their products at a lower price and not as organics.  In 2009, when PFU continued contaminated their fields, the Johnson’s sued again, this time for negligence and trespass, only to receive denial from the district court that received the case. The Johnson’s appealed.  The Appeals Court ruled that particulate matter, including pesticides, herbicides, and even GM particulates, that contaminates nearby fields is, in fact, considered illegal trespass, and is subject to the same laws concerning other forms of trespass.

In California, an organic farm recently won a million dollar lawsuit from a conventional farm whose pesticides spread through fog from several miles away.  The entire season’s crop of herbs from organic farm was lost as a result.   The tide may be turning against GM producers whose materials contaminate neighboring farms with this new precedent.