Just Label It News Roundup 5-25

Organic farms should not be seen as a threat to the conventional sector, but instead a protective relative. Almost a century ago, Monsanto opened a chemical factory in Anniston, Ala., and Mathieu Asselin spent years photographing the town’s damaged landscape. A study on rats said to show that a chemical in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller poses “a significant public health concern.” Also in the news, the Department of Agriculture’s proposed food labeling rule threatens to further undermine consumer trust. Many consumers and food labeling advocates have dissected the proposed rule, finding that the new “BE” label with sunshine and happy faces will only further confuse consumers and keep GMO ingredients hidden. Professor Pamela Ronald is probably the scientist most widely known for publicly defending genetically engineered crops, but a recent investigation shows she was receiving funding from Bayer. Monsanto has shelved a longstanding project to bring Bt soybeans to the U.S. by the turn of the decade. After a virus was created from mail-order DNA, scientists are sounding the alarm about the genetic tinkering carried out in garages and living rooms. And lastly, a new study shows almost all farms could significantly cut chemical use while producing as much food, in a major challenge to the billion-dollar pesticide industry.

Toxic neighbor: Monsanto and the poisoned town

Almost a century ago, Monsanto opened a chemical factory in Anniston, Alabama. Mathieu Asselin spent years photographing this damaged landscape – including a creek where the water runs red.

Glyphosate shown to disrupt microbiome ‘at safe levels’, study claims

Study on rats said to show that the chemical, found in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller, poses ‘a significant public health concern’

Food Labeling Rule Threatens to Further Undermine Consumer Trust

Americans have already lost faith in big food brands, and the brands are only giving consumers more reasons not to trust them. In 2015, food, farm and biotechnology companies, and their trade association spent more than $100 million to fight consumers’ right to know what’s in their food and how it’s grown. Last year, the industry successfully delayed an update to the Nutrition Facts Panel on packaged foods.

USDA Unveils Prototypes For GMO Food Labels, And They’re … Confusing

Foods that contain genetically modified ingredients will soon have a special label.

We recently got the first glimpse of what that label might look like when the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its proposed guidelines.

Can the Scientific Reputation of Pamela Ronald, Public Face of GMOs, Be Salvaged?

Professor Pamela Ronald is probably the scientist most widely known for publicly defending genetically engineered (GE or GMO) crops. Her media persona, familiar to readers of the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, NPR, and many other global media outlets, is to take no prisoners.

Monsanto Halts Plan for Bt Soybeans in US

Monsanto has shelved a longstanding project to bring Bt soybeans to the U.S. by the turn of the decade. The company cited low grower demand, but U.S. insect resistance to the proteins in its Bt soybean product is more likely the culprit, entomologists told DTN.

As D.I.Y. Gene Editing Gains Popularity, ‘Someone Is Going to Get Hurt’

After a virus was created from mail-order DNA, scientists are sounding the alarm about the genetic tinkering carried out in garages and living rooms.

Farms could slash pesticide use without losses, research reveals

A study shows almost all farms could significantly cut chemical use while producing as much food, in a major challenge to the billion-dollar pesticide industry.