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Strong backing in opposition to Prop 37

GMO-interests are really throwing their support behind the effort to defeat a proposed labeling law in California. MapLight, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization which tracks money and politics says opponents of Proposition 37 have contributed $43.8 million to the “Vote No” campaign to date.

Monsanto is the biggest contributor to the “No” campaign putting in $8.1 million, DuPont has thrown in $4.9 million, PepsiCo, Bayer Cropscience, Dow Agrosciences, BASF and Syngenta have contributed $2 million each, Kraft has added $1.95 million, Grocery Manufacturers Association $1.5 million, Coca-Cola $1.46 million and Nestlé’s $1.3 million.

Supporters of Proposition have raised $7.3 million; top supporter is Mercola.com, an alternative medicine website founded by physician Joseph Mercola which has spent $1.15 million toward the “Vote Yes” campaign. The only other million-dollar contributor is Seed Savers Exchange co-founder Kent Whealy who has contributed $1 million.

Proposition 37 would require the labeling of food sold to consumers in California made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specific ways. It also prohibits marketing such food or other processed food as “natural”.