Everything you eat. Hundreds of warnings on food labels could vanish

The bill would stop states from adding warnings that are different from federal rules.

Well, let's look at this a bit closer:

"States currently add hundreds of extra warnings, indicating the presence of arsenic in water, mercury in fish, alcohol in candy, pesticides in vegetables and more."

That's pretty good, I guess. But --

This legislation could overturn 200 state laws that govern everything from disclosing mercury in fish to pesticides in vegetables.

Hmm. Not so good.

Of course the legislation is being sponsored by a R, one Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.

While states have had the vast majority of rule over food labelling for the past century, the new federalists snark don't believe states should have any rights in this post 9/11 world snark.

In fact, under this proposed law, states can come on bended knee, asking for new inclusions in labels. But I don't think that's going to happen. You see, the Rs don't want to control what we eat -- no, they want the kickbacks from big business for the opportunity to force us to eat poison.

This also prevents individual states from saying no to GM crops.

I little ranty today. It's the weather. Predicted Republican again.

•  my understanding

  is that GM is already in the majority of things Americans eat.

  by sooner on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 03:51:18 PM PDT

  •  Primarily,

    GM affects canola, corn and soy, and corn/soy products are readily available. I don't know about meat/dairy, as I don't touch the stuff. But I believe that a lot of animal feed is GM.

    Of course, you never know whether your tomatoes, broccoli, etc., will start being GM.

    You can generally avoid GM by eating organic foods, local/heirloom varieties, and food from the European Union. Shop at your local farmers market, and ask the farmers if they use GM crops.

    by Ear This on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 04:18:37 PM PDT

•  If people have a problem with it

  You can just go and get a PhD in chemistry and build a lab in their basement if they care so much about what's in your food!*

  * sentiment of many libertarians on the evils of the FDA

  by scionkirk on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 03:57:30 PM PDT

•  Hey what's that say?

  I forgot my reading glasses so the print is to small to read.
  And I forgot my lawyer so I can't understand what it says any way.
  Ah what the hell give me 2 packs of smokes and some of those Mercury dogs.
  And I'll get back at ya later BBeelllllchhh about that paperwork thingy your hollern about.

  by Clzwld on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 04:07:38 PM PDT

•  class warfare.

  it will make the poor cancer-ridden AND obese...
  without good public education and unionized living wages, the immigrants and underclasses will be effectively rendered paralyzed and unable to collectively force greedy big agriculture to act nice.

  by stagemom on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 05:20:36 PM PDT