The Oregon Retail Council is a 270-member organization, representing large and small retailers across Oregon. As integral members of the communities we serve, we care about providing accurate information to our customers. That’s why we are strongly opposed to Measure 92 on Oregon’s November ballot.
Proponents are trying to depict this measure as a simple food labeling initiative that will require foods containing or made with GMOs to be labeled.
Measure 92 doesn’t even come close living up to this promise.
Measure 92 and its Oregon-only labeling requirements would actually provide misleading information to consumers about the presence or absence of GMO ingredients in the foods we buy. And on top of that, Measure 92 will increase the cost of groceries for all Oregon families and hurt Oregon family farmers.
In reviewing the measure, it is worth noting the many exemptions and loopholes it includes. In fact, two-thirds of the foods we buy in Oregon are exempt from Measure 92’s labeling requirements even if they’re made with or contain GMOs.
For example, meat and dairy products that come from animals fed genetically engineered (GE) grains and injected with GE medications get a special exemption and wouldn’t have to be labeled. This is an alarming exemption for consumers looking for GMO-free foods — and it conflicts with existing national labeling standards for “organic” and “non-GMO” foods that do provide reliable information for consumers.
Other exemptions are equally indefensible. A can of pop at the grocery store would have to be labeled, but the same can of pop at a local deli gets a special exemption. Non-alcoholic beer has to be labeled, but regular beer gets a special exemption. The measure’s numerous arbitrary loopholes make no sense.
Measure 92 wouldn’t tell consumers anything about which ingredients in a food product are made from GMOs or how much of the product contains GMO ingredients — if any. In fact, Measure 92 is so poorly written that it would actually require some foods to be labeled as “genetically engineered” even if they’re not.
For example, soybean oil is a widely-used, safe and healthy ingredient in many food products. Soybean oil from GE soy varieties is identical to that from non-GE or organic varieties. Through processing, any “GMO” content is removed. Yet, under Measure 92, these foods would be labeled “genetically engineered” — even the food does not contain any GMOs. This makes no sense and provides inaccurate information to consumers.
And for all this bad information, Oregonians are going to have to pay more at the grocery store and on tax day.
Grocery costs for Oregon families will increase because farmers and food producers will have to implement costly new tracking and handling systems throughout the food supply chain to comply with Measure 92’s requirements. And food products will have to be specially handled and relabeled — just for our state — unless they are remade with higher-priced, non-GMO or organic ingredients. Numerous studies have shown that single-state labeling policies, such as Measure 92, would increase grocery costs by at least $400 per year for a family of four. With 1 in 4 children in our state already living in poverty, Oregon families cannot afford to pay more for food.
Taxpayers are also on the hook for Measure 92. Two new state bureaucracies will be responsible for writing extensive new regulations to implement and enforce Measure 92’s complex requirements. The state Department of Administrative Services estimated that inspection programs to enforce Measure 92 would cost taxpayers over $7 million annually. The measure doesn’t provide a funding source or any limit on taxpayer costs. At a time when Oregon already faces budget hardships, it makes no sense to spend millions on flawed and misleading food labeling regulations that would only exist in Oregon.
One of the many things we love about living in Oregon is that we’re a state of diverse opinions and beliefs. We realize there are some consumers who prefer to choose foods without GMO ingredients. Fortunately, we have two existing nationwide labeling systems that already provide this information — the “organic” label and “non-GMO” label. Both are reliable and accurate, unlike Measure 92.
Oregon voters wisely rejected an initiative nearly identical to Measure 92 several years ago. It was the right decision then and it’s the right decision now.
Please vote NO on Measure 92.
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Betsy Earls is policy manager for the Oregon Retail Council and serves as vice president and counsel at Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon’s largest business association.
