On Friday, I wrote about how food companies were like lying, cheating narcissists. Today, I have more details to prove this analogy may be even more accurate.
I was tipped off to a Monsanto UK campaign that was run in the late 1990s. It was an advertisement campaign that publicly stated Monsanto’s support of labeling GMO foods.
I was actually even able to find remnants of it on the Monsanto UK website. Here are a few screen captures of it.
First, stating their support…
Second, explaining clearly that they feel citizens have the right to know…
(Here is the full screen capture in case this page is removed — which I suspect it will be soon.)
That message sounds a lot like what I’ve been writing about recently. We just want to know what is in the food.
Just slap a label on it and we’ll move on.
But here’s the ringer.
In California, Monsanto USA has donated $4.2 million dollars to fight Proposition 37 which is a proposition that requires the labeling of GMO food.
Here’s the proof…
(Here is a full list of Proposition 37 donors.)
Here’s a little more detail from the San Jose Mercury News:
St. Louis-based Monsanto, a leading producer of genetically engineered seeds and chemicals such as the herbicide Roundup, has donated $4.2 million to efforts to defeat Proposition 37, a controversial measure on the November ballot that would require labeling for genetically engineered foods.
But in the late 1990s, Monsanto ran advertisements in Britain that supported food labeling, which is common in Europe.
The European Union first approved labels for genetically engineered food in 1997, and specific rules covering corn and soy came a year later. Monsanto’s ads in Europe apparently ran after the decision to label foods had been made. Labeling rules in the United Kingdom went into effect in early 1999.
“It ran in 1998-1999, was in the U.K. only and was supportive of efforts by retailers to position their products with their customers,” Monsanto spokesman Tom Helscher wrote in an email.
The company declined to comment further about why it chose to support labeling abroad but is spending millions to fight California’s effort.
I love how the PR rep had no further comment when asked about why it doesn’t support labeling in the U.S. What can you say? At least the guy is human. He knows when to admit — by not admitting — that he’s stuck.
How can Monsanto UK support GMO labeling at one point and Monsanto USA donate $4.2 million to try to squash an attempt in California?
This is classic narcissistic behavior. Tell anyone whatever they want to hear as long as you still look good.
Do you want to have guys like these have control over your food?
I hope not.
Be sure to share this with your friends — and if you have them in California tell them to get out and vote “yes” on Prop. 37.
Your Question of the day: How does this make you feel?
Live Awesome!
Kev
Shared!
Great Article Kevin – everything’s there that one needs to know on this issue. Shared on Twitter! 🙂
Excited – i can’t wait to share this little bit of hypocrisy on facebook and twitter! 😀
It makes me wonder how well Monsanto’s projected sales have been going in the U.K. with the disclosure policy. If not so well, Monsanto might have decided it’s just better not to have to admit anything, where labels are concerned. 4 million would therefore be a great investment. Hopefully they’ll have to eat the money, which they’d probably prefer over eating their product. Of course insiders could manipulate the ballots like they did to Ron Paul.
Kev,
The way you kept misspelling Mons(t)anto started to get funny to me. Then I wondered that that might have been intentional on your part. Did I miss a subtlety, like a pun or something here?
I, too, have trouble remembering people’s names when I don’t like them. Thank you for your strong and witty stand against GMOs.
$4 Million ro Monsanto is like 4¢ to us. The list seems like a good indication of which companies to avoid like the plague, as for sure GMO’s are rampant in their products. Thanks for the list, Kevin.
So why are we the guinea pigs?
Shared!
If you are proud of your product you put your name on it. The lack of product labeling placement is the same with the fields planted with gmo seed=nonexistent. We have been told it is safe by the same people that are now spraying an agent orange product all over cities as a way to control mosquitoes. Is there even really a nile virus or is this just a thought up disease to sell product. It there is a Nile Virus where did it come from and could it be controlled with nutrion.
This makes me think….where is our government!!!???? UK government listened to consumers and responded to their voice and said NO to Monsanto. Japanese government did the same. Meanwhile….our government is busy bromancing with Momsanto!!!???? WTH!? Is this a third world country?
http://annals.org/store/pay_per_view.aspx?articleId=1355685
kevin can you say if this meta study on organic foods is linked to the anti pro 37 gmo labeling? is this study funded by industry? or why organic foods have cut such way?
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1355685
http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2012/09/03/research-shows-little-evidence-that-organic-foods-are-more-nutritious-than-conventional-ones/
kevin can you say if this meta study on organic foods is linked to the anti pro 37 gmo labeling? is this study funded by industry? or why organic foods have cut such way?
Here is the list of the House and Senate that accept donations from Monsanto. I’m not sure how to put a link here.
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cycle=2012&cmte=C00042069
WOW! I guess sleep really is an issue these days with me. I proofread this 3-4 times and still didn’t notice that I said monstanto. weird.
Fixed now. 🙂
Kev
I was also ‘tipped off’ about this news this morning. I’m glad you posted it on your blog.
Interesting that the article stated that they (Monsanto) were behind the labeling AFTER it had already been decided. Then they claim that their products are as safe and nutritious as the standard alternatives. Whatever! Trying to make it sound like it was their idea. Not buying it. What about the articles lately that say that organic isn’t any better than nonorganic. Is Monsanto behind that too?
Rose, I also saw the article. It was on Yahoo today. It really disappointed me because you know darn well that the monies from the study came from somebody who is obviously opposed to the GMO labeling. I wonder how honestly the votes on the California proposition will be tabulated. Thanks Kevin, you have a big internet following. Let’s all keep fighting this and passing the word. Even if you don’t live in California, pass the word.
Kev: You updated the article for mispelling the company’s name…..I thought the mispelling was a joke that I was not getting.
I didn’t write its name here bec. I think spelling it correctly shows it respect. I prefer to spell it “Monstinko”….Monsterstinko also comes to mind. How ’bout a contest on that one?
Great aricle! Get some sleep? More baby photos and reports on how everyone is doing!
Ha ha, Kevin. Actually, when I read the article yesterday, I didn’t notice that Monsanto was misspelled until a reader pointed it out. Stop blaming the baby 🙂 Mistakes happen …. even by you 🙂
Really great article, by the way 🙂
I don’t care much for picking anymore. When the spirit is correct why nitpick. The mirror effect will always reflect back the shortcomings of the accusers, no matter how benign the accusation. We all strive, hopefully, to be proper in the deliverance of the helpful message but if we reveal imperfections, guess what?… The truth seeker must examine him/herself. In other words if you understand the delivered content, why wouldn’t one expect the others did also? On the other hand there’s a need for good lawyers I suppose.
Visit: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/ for free brochures on how you can identify gmo altered food ingredients.
While you’re there take a look at this video (link below). It’s and hour and a half and well worth every minute. Jeffrey Smith is one of the most interesting and engaging speakers I’ve ever heard. You will understand just how very important it is to avoid these dangerous “foods”.
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/Everything-You-Have-To-Know-about-Dangerous-Genetically-Modified-Foods-September-2009
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/Everything-You-Have-To-Know-about-Dangerous-Genetically-Modified-Foods-September-2009
Monsanto’s GM crops are creating superworms.
My bad. Wrong link. That’s Marilyn’s link that I copied before.
Here it is: Monsanto’s GM crops creating superworms…
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/09/05/796781/genetically-modified-corn-gives-rise-to-superworms-as-agribusiness-lobbies-against-gmo-labeling/?mobile=nc
Please like my page thanks,
Kev,
You really did your homework and this is just so informative.!!!!!!
This last week I read an article in the Whole Person magazine in L.A. by Michael Murphy, on Chem Trails. ( Have you heard of them?) As soon as you know about them, you will start to see them all over the place.)
Michael made a film- What in the World are They Spraying?” and an other,” Why in the World are they Spraying ?”
He says the chemicals being sprayed into the atmosphere are a global assult meant to alter wheather and soil conditions so that normal crops will not thrive. MONSANTO has developed GMO seeds that will be able to thrive under the new conditions, draught, lower sunlight levels, more PH soil….It’s about POWER, CONTROL and GREED on an unbelievable level…and they don’t mind killing the planet to aquire it.
check it out.
please.
sandra
Kevin, could you print the list again of companies whose food contain GMO products. I seem to have missed it.