'Frankenfood' Labels: 'We Have a Right to Know'

Genetically engineered foods are labeled as such in America, right? Not so, and Californians will vote on a November proposition about it that's "unquestionably among the most important non-national votes this year," writes Mark Bittman in the New York Times' Opinionator blog. He trumpets Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) and stop companies from calling them—or any other processed foods—"natural."

"We have a right to know what’s in the food we eat and a right to know how it’s produced," writes Bittman. "This is true even if food containing or produced using GMO's were the greatest thing since crusty bread." Bittman notes that President Obama once promised to label GMO's, and "maybe a re-elected Obama could work on that." So far, California polls show 65% in favor and only 20% against Proposition 37, despite the tens of millions Big Food has spent trying to defeat it. (More genetically modified food stories.)