Label GMOs or bin them

GMO Inside is calling on Hershey and Mars to either stop putting Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their products, or to start labelling the products as containing GMOs.

Hershey and Mars combined comprise nearly 70% of the US chocolate market. In the November 2012 elections in California, both companies opposed GMO labelling, spending approximately $519,000 (€385,000) and $498,000 (€369,000) respectively to defeat prop 37.

The reason these companies oppose GMO labelling so strongly is due to the fact that GMO ingredients are in their sweets; a label that would make consumers think twice about eating their favorite chocolate bar.

Genetically modified organisms have never been proven safe for consumption, and a growing body of studies is raising concerns around the health effects of eating them. GMOs are also increasing the use of toxic herbicides and causing harm to farmers in the US and abroad.

In Europe, where genetically modified ingredients are already required to be labelled, Hershey and Mars have adapted their recipes to formulate Kisses and M&Ms without GMOs.

Beyond the issue of GMOs, Hershey also has problems with child labor in the cocoa it sources.  Though the company committed to certify its supply chain as 100% sustainable in October 2012, there has been no further information about how the company plans to deliver on its promise to remove forced child labour from its supply chain over the next seven years.