California Voters Rebuff Labels on GMO Foods
California Voters Rebuff Labels on GMO Foods - Technology & Science - Science
Voters spurned a ballot measure that would have made California the first in the nation to affix labels on breakfast cereals, baked goods and other processed foods containing genetically modified ingredients.
The rejection Wednesday followed an expensive offense from agribusiness and chemical conglomerates, which raised $46 million to blitz airwaves and mailboxes with negative advertising.
With 82 percent of precincts reporting, Proposition 37 failed 54 percent to 46 percent.
The closely tracked initiative was seen as a test of consumers’ appetite toward genetically modified crops. Outsiders hoped a victory in trend-setting California would catapult the issue to a national stage.
Several hours after polls closed with the measure trailing, the No on 37 campaign appeared pleased.
“We’ve said from the beginning of this campaign that the more voters learned about Prop 37, the less they’d like it. We didn’t think they’d like the lawsuits, more bureaucracy, higher costs and loopholes and exemptions. It looks like they don’t,” said spokeswoman Kathy Fairbanks.
Representatives with the California Right to Know campaign tried to put on a positive face.