Whole Foods and supposed support for Monsanto’s anti-transparency regarding GMO labeling

When I found out yesterday — via multiple sources (always use multiple sources) — that Whole Foods supposedly was backing Monsanto’s ploy to prevent consumers from being aware of whether or not they were consuming GMO foods by pushing through Congress legislation that would ban labels on food that would notify the public that their product contains GMO’s, I Immediately wrote to them. Here is the result:

— — — — — — — — Original Message — — — — — — — -

From: mmac1701@yahoo.com

Sent: 2016–07–09 00:00:00

Subject: Company Policy

Just wanted to let you know that you will no longer have my business. Way to go, selling out to Monsanto on GMO labeling. How dare you try to prevent people from knowing what is in the food that they consume. Done with you, and I will share this with anyone that I meet.

Their response came this morning:

Hello Mark,

There is simply no truth to these claims. We support mandatory labeling of GMO foods through clear, on-package language, not QR codes or 1–800 numbers.

Whole Foods Market has always advocated for more transparency in the marketplace, because we believe people have a right to know what’s in their food. That’s why we were the first (and are still the only) national grocer to set a deadline for GMO transparency in our U.S. and Canadian stores. Our commitment is to true transparency, and our policy will not accept QR codes or 1–800 numbers as valid ways of identifying foods that may contain GMOs.

We’ve also been collaborating with our supplier partners for years to source more — and increase the availability of — organic and non-GMO verified products and ingredients. We offer thousands of options for shoppers who’d like to avoid GMOs, including more than 25,000 certified organic and more than 11,500 non-GMO Project Verified products — all of which provide clear, on-package labeling.

Regards,

Whole Foods Market

Global Customer Care

My reply:

Mark McPherson <mmac1701@yahoo.com> Today at 7:19 AM

To: WFM Support

Thank you! I will let people know that this is not correct. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. It is being reported — by multiple sources — that you were backing Monsanto. That would be a huge mistake, and I am glad to see that it is untrue. Transparency and people’s right to know what they are putting into their bodies trumps Monsanto’s desires. Global dislike for them will only continue to grow, and rightly so. They have a lot to answer for.

Mark McPherson

Moral of the story? The squeaky wheel gets a response. Rely on multiple sources for your information, and if you are displeased by what you read, ACT on it. Be vocal. In this day and age, that is very easy, and these folks — be they retailers, businesses, elected officials — they all know that they must respond, and must respond appropriately, or fear the wrath of the public. We have real power, y’all. WE do, not them. It is suicide for a business to not listen to and respond to what we have to say. That leads to loss of revenue for a business, and that is the last thing that they want, believe me.

We have a voice, all of us do. Be aware. Be vocal. If something displeases you, tell them. Tell them and they will respond. If that response is unsatisfactory to you, keep at it until you get the desired result. They have to listen; they don’t have a choice. It’s either listen and do the right thing, or face the consequences.

YOU can make a difference.

YOU.

Let’s get to work, shall we?

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