BURLINGTON, VT. — As the campaign to label food products made with GMO ingredients moves across the states, including Vermont, Ben & Jerry’s is proud to stand with the growing consumer movement for transparency and the right to know what’s in our food supply by supporting mandatory GMO labeling legislation.
Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of supporting transparency and a consumer’s right to know. The ice cream maker led the fight that began in 1993 for the right to label its products rBGH free*, and the company has stood firmly in opposition to cloned and GMO animals, including cows and salmon.
“While a single, unified national standard would be preferred over a state by state approach, we believe success at the state level will ultimately lead to a national standard,” said Rob Michalak, the company’s Global Social Mission Director.
For products sold in all markets outside of North America, Ben & Jerry’s ingredients are sourced non-GMO. Currently in North America, 80% of ingredients by volume are sourced non-GMO. The company acknowledges that it still has some difficult work to do, but it plans to complete the transition by the end of 2013.
“All of us at Ben & Jerry’s are proud to stand with the growing movement of citizens, farmers, suppliers, companies, and others, in demanding the right to know what’s in the food we eat,” added Michalak.