Studies Show GE Labels Won’t Drive Up Food Costs
Despite the food industry’s scare tactics, there is ample evidence that requiring genetically engineered food to be labeled would come at little or no cost to consumers. But that doesn’t stop food and biotechnology companies that oppose labeling from using fear of cost increases to try to stampede voters into rejecting labeling initiatives. (Never mind that GE labels are already used in 64 countries, where food – not so shockingly – is still affordable.)
As efforts to require GE labeling continue to build momentum in states across the country and on Capitol Hill, it’s important to get the facts straight.
Here’s a rundown of studies that have analyzed the costs associated with GE labeling and shown how minimal they truly are:
By Kai Robertson, independent consultant
Just Label It
This study, commissioned by the Just Label It campaign, found no evidence that requiring food manufacturers to label GE products would result in higher food prices.
By Dr. Andrew Dyke and Robert Whelan, ECONorthwest
Consumers Union
Study conducted by the economic consulting firm ECONorthwest found that requiring GE food labels would cost a mere $2.30 per person per year, or less than a penny a day.
By Joanna M. Shepherd-Bailey, Ph.D., Emory University School of Law
Shepherd-Bailey’s assessment of potential costs associated with California’s failed Proposition 37 to require GE food labeling found little or no change in consumer food prices as a result of labeling.
By Joanna M. Shepherd-Bailey, Ph.D., Emory University School of Law
Shepherd-Bailey’s assessment of potential costs associated with Washington state’s Initiative 522 to label GE food, which also lost following a massive industry advertising campaign, similarly predicted no change in consumer food prices as a result of labeling.
By Michael Hansen, senior staff scientist
Consumers Union
Hansen finds that Lesser’s industry-funded study, which predicted a surge in food prices as a result of GE labeling, relied on faulty assumptions about consumer behavior and product reformulation.
By David Byrne, former European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection
In his 2001 report, Byrne wrote that, “When the current labeling regime was introduced in 1997, it did not result in increased costs, despite the horrifying (double-digit) prediction of some interests.”