Dive Brief:
- A survey found that 80% of Americans support the government's mandatory labeling of foods containing DNA.
- As DNA is an essential building block of life on Earth, it would be found in just about all foods.
- The survey demonstrates the apparent lack of scientific understanding Americans have in terms of genetically modified foods and government-mandated labeling initiatives.
Dive Insight:
Yes, you read that headline right: just about as many Americans support DNA labeling as GMO labeling. It goes to show just how much confusion exists about what genetically modified foods actually are and what modification means. For pro-labeling activists, this could be seen as a minor, although convoluted, win, as it shows that the majority of people want to know what exactly is in their food - even if they don't really comprehend what those labels would even say.