GMOs Have Had A Good 2016, But Teachable Moments Lie Ahead

Despite the political rancor of the election season just past, 2016 has turned out to be one of the most peaceful and positive years ever when it comes to the discussion and science around GMOs. Consider this: The debate over labeling foods produced through biotechnology has raged for some 15 years. But this year, with the implementation of a new, nationwide standard, we now turn the page to educating consumers about the implications. No longer will consumers and food producers face the nightmare of a patchwork of labeling laws at the state level. Unfortunately, it seems as if consumers are being constantly bombarded with changes to food labels. While intuitively we might think that more information means a better-educated consumer, IFIC Foundation research often finds that our best intentions can backfire, as we fall victim to “information overload.” This is also potentially the case with forthcoming Nutrition Facts labels that will add a line for added sugars.