USA
October 3, 2012

The IPSA Board of Directors voted at their October meeting to join a coalition of family farmers, small businesses, food companies and others that has formed to defeat Prop. 37 on California's November 2012 Ballot.

Prop. 37 is a deceptive food labeling scheme. The measure would ban the sale of tens of thousands of perfectly safe, common food products unless they are specially repackaged, relabeled or remade with higher cost ingredients - just for California. Prop. 37 will add more government bureaucracy and costs, create the potential for lawsuits, and increase food prices for California families - all without providing any health or safety benefits.

The IPSA Board determined that, while the ballot measure is California-based, its impacts could be felt across the country and even worldwide. "IPSA cannot ignore this state ballot initiative - if successful, its organizers will likely just move on from state to state with their misleading information and scare tactics," said Greg Ruehle, IPSA's Chief Executive Officer.

Prop. 37 is also full of exemptions from labeling requirements. Soy milk requires labeling, but cow's milk does not. Pet foods containing meat require labels, but meat for human consumption does not. Food sold in the grocery store would require a label, but food sold in restaurants would not. Imported foods are exempt if sellers simply claim their products are "GE free," creating opportunities for unscrupulous companies to game the system.

The US Food and Drug Administration says such a labeling policy would "be inherently misleading" and the American Medical Association recently concluded that "there is no scientific justification for special labeling of bioengineered food."

Prop. 37 was written by a trial lawyer who specializes in filing lawsuits against businesses, allowing lawyers to sue farmers, grocers, and food companies without proof of violation or harm. These lawsuits will cost food companies, farmers, grocers and ultimately consumers millions.

The opposition campaign includes the California Small Business Association, California Chamber of Commerce, California Farm Bureau Federation, California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, California Women for Agriculture, Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Western Growers Association, California Grain and Feed Association, California Taxpayer Protection Committee, California State Conference of the NAACP and many others.

We strongly encourage our members to learn more and sign up and join the opposition coalition at www.NoProp37.com.

Website: https://ipseed.org

Published: October 3, 2012