Samantha Past AP
Biology
3/11/13 c
block, odd days
Strom,
Stephanie. “Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Content.” The New York Times. The New York Times,
10 Mar. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2013.
The article
“Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Content,” written by Stephanie
Strom, pertains to Whole Foods Market, the grocery chain, that has recently become the first
retailer in the United States to require labeling of all genetically modified foods sold in its stores. Also included in the article is
an in depth discussion describing the current issue pertaining to the labeling
of Genetically Modified foods in the United States, while Ms. Strom includes
both those in favor of labeling, such as A.C. Gallo, president of Whole Foods,
and those opposed including Coca Cola and PepsiCo. The article offers an in
depth background with regards to genetically modified ingredients, therefore
allowing the reader to acquire suitable knowledge with regards to the topic
discussed. As the article describes, “genetically
modified ingredients are deeply embedded in the global food supply, having
proliferated since the 1990s. Most of the corn and soybeans grown in the United
States, for example, have been genetically modified.” While some, including,
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, the
trade group that represents major food companies and retailers, and Louis
Finkel, the organization’s executive director of government affairs, believe
genetically modified products to be safe; others believe the opposite and have
been working towards a federal requirement to label foods containing
genetically modified ingredients, one such person is Gary Hirsberg, chairman of
the Just Label It campaign. Despite
various opposition Whole Foods announced it will include its labeling
requirements in its 339 stores in the United States and Canada. Whole Foods’
shelves carry about 3,300 private-label and branded products that are
certified, therefor resulting in the largest selection of any grocery chain in
the country.
This is
article is perfectly suited to what we have been discussing in class, as
recently there has been an emphasis in our studies on genetically modified
foods. Whole Foods incorporating labeling requirements is an extremely
important step for this debate, as hopefully, many other food stores will
follow the lead of such a well-renowned, successful store, as Whole Foods. It
is important we know what we are eating, and the only way to do that, or at least
to broaden our knowledge, is to label our food.
Overall this was an extremely informative
article and I enjoyed reading it. The author included both sides of the food
labeling debate, therefore enabling the reader to get the chance to learn about
the issue as a whole. The author includes various details, and incorporates
numerous significant people and companies opinion in order to further balance
the article’s information.
I read Samantha’s article “Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Content,” which described Whole Food chain’s decision that all foods sold in the store must label their GM status. This has been a controversial topic that large corporations such as Coca Cola and Pepsi have fiercely opposed to. Samantha’s article was very timely, as the debate over GM crops is one of the most important biotechnology debates in our generation, and we have spent some time in the class discussing the impact of Monsanto on actual farmers. I liked that Samantha could clearly identify the opponents and proponents, which made it easy to tell that all the big corporations seem to be the biggest opponents.
ReplyDeleteSamantha’s review could have been improved in multiple ways. There were some grammatical and sentence structure errors that impeded a clear understanding of what she meant. It would have been cool if she had linked the article to biotechnology that we studied -recombinant DNA - and explain how the real life GM crops are created. Also, it would have been nice if she explained why some people may be proponents (or opponents) of labeling. The reasoning behind opposing to labeling is not as self-explanatory as the one for labeling. Finally, it would have been nice if she touched upon the other debates, such as ecological and human health concerns.
I think it is impressive a large chain like Whole Foods made the decision to sell only labeled products. This, I believe, is the first step towards requiring that all foods we consume be labeled, which is exactly what happens in European Nation. While a complete ban on GMOs (which most developed nations with the exception of the U.S. have done) seems unlikely in this country, at least consumers should have the right to know what exactly it is that they are putting in their mouths.
Bibliography: Strom, Stephanie. “Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Content.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 10 Mar. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2013.
ReplyDeleteThe article “Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Content,” written by Stephanie Strom, and presented by Samantha, discusses the issue regarding genetically modified foods. Whole Foods Market, the grocery chain, has recently become the first retailer in the United States to require labeling of all genetically modified foods sold in its stores. I found this action, taken by Whole Foods Market, to be very inspirational to other grocery stores in the country. Whole Foods is a leading grocery story in the United States and Canada, therefore, having such a large food supplier take the next step in awareness for genetically modified foods is huge. It sets a precedent, for other food suppliers, to apply the same concept to their stores. Hopefully, with Whole Foods Market leading the way, consumers would be made aware of the products they are buying and how the genetically modified aspects of those products will affect their health. I think this article was presented at a good time because in class we have been discussing about farmers and genetically modified food. This article puts into perspective, the fact that most suppliers are not willing to label their products accurately. When, refusing to label products with GM status, they are denying consumers the right to know what is in their food.
I think the review could have been improved if there was more information with regards to how companies are genetically modifying produce. Also, I would have liked to read more about the other food suppliers who think that they should not write about the genetic modifying on their products. I would want to better understand why they would think that it is best not to allow consumers know all the information about their products.
This reading taught me that Whole Foods has taken the next step on awareness for consumers, and had led the way for, hopefully, many other markets to enforce regulations of products awareness.
-Nastaran Soroori
AP Biology
3/12/13
The article Major Grocer to Label Foods with Gene-Modified Content, was very well written. One thing in particular was the inclusion of opposing ideas for the GMO labeling. Those in favor of labeling, such as A.C. Gallo, president of Whole Foods, and those opposed including Coca Cola and PepsiCo. Another good point in the article was the explanation of GMO’s in daily food. Things like corn flake cereals and soy beans can contain GMOS. There were other good points in the article stating that there was no true fact of GMOS harming individuals, but labeling products can only enhance people’s knowledge of what they are consuming. The final good explanation was the background of whole foods. Whole Foods in Britain is by law supposed to have all the information on the ingredient label. In the US, Whole Foods will include its labeling requirements in its 339 stores in the United States and Canada. Whole Foods’ shelves carry about 3,300 private-label and branded products that are certified, therefor resulting in the largest selection of any grocery chain in the country.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that could have been better represented in the article was what GMO’s are specifically and linked it to class studies of the structure of DNA and what happens when organisms are genetically modified. The story Mr. Ippolito told us in class about the corn that was genetically modified that was spread airborne and infected the other corn on other farms. Another thing that could have been better represented was how do GMO’s affect the wildlife that surround the fruits and vegetables? Life is a food chain and genetically modifying individuals can screw up the lifestyle of the animals that eat the vegetables and the animals that eat those animals and so on.
Overall this was a great topic to choose and was on point to what we recently learned in class. It would be interesting in the future to see if GMO’s really do harm humans in drastic measures.
Maddy Foley
ReplyDeleteCurrent Event
I read Samantha’s review of the New York Times article, “Major Grocer to Label Foods With Gene-Modified Content.” One thing I thought Samantha did well was her description of genetically modified foods. She notes that foods have been genetically modified since the 1990s and include common roods like corn and soybeans. I also thought a well done part of her review was her addressing of both sides of the argument. She identifies that the Grocery Manufacturers Association, a trade group that represents major food companies and retailers, and Louis Finkel, the organization’s executive director of government affairs, believe genetically modified goods to be safe, while others disagree. Lastly, I thought Samantha did well in including some statistics on the matter, writing that 339 Whole Food stores in the United States and Canada will require labeling of genetically modified foods. This enhances the importance of this action taken by A.C. Gallo, the president of Whole Foods.
I thought Samantha could have improved her review by including more behind the decision on why Whole Foods decided to make labeling requirements. I also think she could have improved the review by including more in depth arguments on the side of those in favor of labeling and those against it.
One thing I learnt from this review was that most grocery stores do not require products to label if they are genetically enhanced. I was unaware that many of the things I am eating could be genetically enhance and will certainly be more wary of this fact in the future.