This is a review of the article “GMO Labeling Law Roils Food Companies” written by Annie Gasparro and Jacob Bunge. The article was published on March 20, 2016, in the Wall Street Journal.
A law that requires food companies to put GMO labels on their products is set to take effect on July 1 2016 in Vermont (Gasparro & Bunge par 1). This law puts food producers and processors in a difficult position. Although Vermont represents a small part of the market, it is not economically feasible for most companies to formulate different a distribution system for this area. Developing a separate network would be complicated, and it would involve significant costs.
Food businesses are worried that GMO labels will intensify the negative attitudes that are associated with genetically modified organisms. These perceptions are likely to affect sales, as most people will avoid products that contain GMO components. As such, companies are opting to make changes in their ingredients. This move will increase the cost of production that will consequently raise the price of various food items.
In the U.S., GMO crops are few. However, they are the most prominent in the food industry. These include corn, canola, and soybeans among others. Given that these crops make up a large proportion of packaged foods substituting them is a difficult (Gasparro & Bunge par 15). GMO labeling is bound to overhaul the food and agriculture industry nationwide.
Personal Opinion
Given the many challenges that this law will bring, the food industry needs to come up with new marketing strategies targeting the whole nation. There is need to change the negative notions that people have about GMO foods. Also, due to the increase in prices, rigorous advertising needs to be done to increase sales.
Works Cited
Gasparro, Annie and Bunge, Jacob. “GMO Labeling Law Roils Food Companies” The Wall Street Journal. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016 <http://www.wsj.com/articles/gmo-labeling-law-roils-companies-1458510332>
