Whole Foods endorses Prop. 37

Source: Los Angeles Times Business

Whole Foods endorses Prop. 37
The natural goods retailer is backing the proposition to require labeling of genetically engineered food ingredients. But changes it suggests cannot be made to the measure before the vote.

By Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
September 15, 2012

SACRAMENTO — Whole Foods Market, the largest U.S. natural-goods specialty retailer, has endorsed a California initiative that would require the labeling of genetically engineered food ingredients.

The Austin, Texas, company is backing Proposition 37 on the November ballot "because it has long believed its customers have the right to know how their food is produced."

That "right to know" is the main argument for the ballot measure, which has strong support from farmers, processors and sellers of organic foods. It's opposed by biotech companies, grocery manufacturers and the soft drink industry, among others.

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Opponents, so far, have raised about $25 million to fight Proposition 37, while supporters reported $3.5 million as of Sept. 1, according to Maplight.org, a nonpartisan voter information service. Whole Foods has not contributed to the Yes on 37 campaign, according to filings with the California secretary of state.

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Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-whole-foods-endorse-20120915,0,2481280.story