Stakes Raised (to Tune of $25 Million) in Prop 37 Fight

Wow, how quickly information can change, especially when huge corporate profits are on the line. On Friday, August 10, I wrote a post titled "Big Food Gives Over $1 Million (So Far) to Defeat Prop 37." The operative phrase there was "So Far," as in the next week, Big Food and Big Chemical raised the stakes in the fight over the labeling of genetically engineered food in California by contributing nearly $23 million (yes, nearly $23 million), led by Monsanto's $4.2 million.

According to a press release issued by the California Right to Know group:

"New campaign finance reports reveal that Monsanto Co. just contributed $4.2 million to defeat Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically engineered food. That is the largest contribution in the race. Total contributions to defeat Proposition 37 amount to $25 million, and nearly $23 million during the last week.

"Other major new contributions against Proposition 37 were given by E. I. Dupont de Nemours ($1,273,600), Dow Agrosciences ($1,184,800) and PepsiCo ($1,126,079).

“'The giant pesticide and food companies are afraid of the mothers and grandmothers who want the right to know what’s in our food,' said Stacy Malkan, media director of California Right to Know. 'These companies will try to buy the election, but it won’t work. California moms and dads will prevail over Monsanto and Dupont.'

"Thus far, the 'Big 6' pesticide companies (Monsanto, Dow, BASF, Bayer, Syngenta and DuPont) have contributed $13.5 million to defeat Proposition 37."

Click here to see the California State campaign finance reports with your own eyes.

Click here to view a great pie graph from the Organic Consumers Fund which highlights who is giving money to support and oppose Prop 37. Anyone have a million dollars (or a $100) they want to donate to help change for the better how we eat in this country? Click here to donate.