Dive Summary:
- Walmart, Pepsi and ConAgra are among almost 20 companies that met in January to discuss lobbying for a nationwide GMO labeling initiative.
- After pumping in millions of dollars into California to defeat Prop 37, only to see similar legislation pop up in multiple other states, the food companies have decided to cut their losses and join the conversation.
- With Walmart leading the pack, federal legislation is being discussed so as to ensure equal and fair treatment to all products, GMO or natural, throughout the U.S.
From the article:
“The big food companies found themselves in an uncomfortable position after Prop. 37, and they’re talking among themselves about alternatives to merely replaying that fight over and over again,” said Charles Benbrook, a research professor at Washington State University who attended the meeting.
“They spent a lot of money, got a lot of bad press that propelled the issue into the national debate and alienated some of their customer base, as well as raising issues with some trading partners,” said Mr. Benbrook, who does work on sustainable agriculture.
