Open Letter Calling on Jewel-Osco to Label GMOs

Illinois PIRG Education Fund

Dear Jewel-Osco:

As a coalition of community groups, small local farmers, grocery stores, schools, and public health, consumer and environmental advocates in Illinois, we write to ask you to support your customers by agreeing to label your store brand products for GMO ingredients.

There is overwhelming public support for labeling GMO foods. Recent polls find that 93 percent of Americans think that foods containing genetically modified ingredients should be identified. Sixty-four countries around the world have GMO labeling laws.

There are many reasons to be concerned about GMO foods.  The Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN has warned that some 75 percent of plant genetic diversity has been lost as farmers turn to genetically uniform, mass-produced crop varieties.  Because GMOs usually don’t undergo safety testing before they’re brought to market, many consumers are worried about their long-term impact. Further, some GMOs are designed for increased pesticide use, which have been linked to serious health and environmental effects. 

But due to the lack of adequate labeling standards, consumers with these concerns are too often left in the dark.  While our leaders have yet to respond to the public demand for labeling, we urge you to serve your customers by committing to labeling your store-brand products for GMO ingredients. 

Sincerely,

Illinois PIRG Education Fund

Illinois Public Health Association
Food & Water Watch Illinois
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Illinois Organic Growers Association
Illinois Farmers Union
Illinois Right to Know GMO
Chefs Collaborative
Montessori School of Lemont
Southwest Suburban Montessori School
Palos 118 Parent Faculty Association
Joliet Montessori School Home and School Association
Montessori of Woodridge
Alpha Montessori School
Little People Montessori Academy
Country Meadows Montessori School
Ambassador Organics
North Lawndale Greening Committee
Big Delicious Planet Restaurant
South Side Education and Economic Development System
Green City Market
South Chicago Art Center
Loyola University Chicago Institute of Environmental Sustainability
Mertz Terrace Garden
Quinlan Terrace Garden
Winthrop Garden
Loyola IES Greenhouse and Aquaponics System
Uncommon Ground Restaurant
The Urban Canopy
Basil Leaf Cafe
Big Jones Restaurant
Southeast Environmental Task Force

National Endorsing Organizations

Biodynamic Association
Center For Biological Diversity
Consumers Union
Food & Water Watch
GMO Inside
Institute For Responsible Technology
National Young Farmers Association
Organic Consumers Association
Pesticide Action Network
Slow Food USA
Teens Turning Green
Women Food & Ag Network
U.S.PIRG