To: The Texas State House, The Texas State Senate, and Governor Greg Abbott
Texas Label GMOs
Texans are demanding legislation to require the labeling of all foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients and of all seeds that have been produced through genetic engineering, otherwise referred to as "GMO foods" or "GMOs." We have a right to know what is in the food we eat, what we are feeding to our families, and what we are growing on our farms and in our gardens.
We are asking for a GMO labeling bill to be signed into law as soon as possible that will be effective at preserving the transparency of our food supply and robust enough to withstand constitutional challenge. Our children and future generations depend on you to protect the genetic integrity of our food, our seeds, and our bodies.
Why is this important?
The Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing of new genetically modified foods (“GMOs”), instead relying on corporations' profits from the sale of such foods to ensure their safety for us. Contrary to industry claims, GMO foods have not been proven safe, and a growing body of independent, peer-reviewed studies have linked the consumption of GMO foods to allergies, infertility, immune problems, gastrointestinal disruption, cancer, and a host of other diseases. GMO crops can easily contaminate non-GMO crops, threatening organic agriculture, and their use is linked to increases in toxic pesticide use and the emergence of “superweeds.” Further, the absence of labeling of GMO foods and seeds prohibits those with specific ethical or religious practices from making informed food choices.