Hershey’s non-GMO pledge

Hershey’s has confirmed that as part of its commitment to simpler ingredients, its two iconic products will be non-GMO by the end of the year.

Green America Food Campaigns director Nicole McCann states: “We congratulate Hershey’s on this important move and great first step. As one of the leading chocolate companies in the US, this commitment will help move the rest of the companies in this sector. Hershey’s joins General Mills, Unilever, Post Foods and other leading companies in responding to consumer demand to make at least some of its products non-GMO.”

Two years ago, in February 2013, GMO Inside began calling on consumers to put pressure on Hershey’s (as well Mars) to make its products without GMOs due to concerns over the environmental and health impacts of GMOs. In response, thousands of consumers emailed the company urging it to remove GMOs.

In December 2014, when Hershey’s announced it was exploring transitioning away from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), GMO Inside mobilised consumers to call the company to urge it not to use any other form of GMO sugar, such as from GMO sugar beets; and then again in February 2015 called on consumers to post on the company¹s Facebook page on Valentine’s Day.

“Hershey’s needs to take the next step and go non-GMO with all of its chocolates, and get third-party verification for non-GMO ingredients. This includes sourcing milk from cows not fed GMOs and agreeing to prohibit any synthetic biology ingredients, starting with vanilla,” states John Roulac, co-chair of GMO Inside. “Consumers are increasingly looking for non-GMO products and verification, and Hershey’s and its competitors would be wise to offer third-party verified non-GMO products to consumers.”