What Tuesday’s Election Results Means for Food

Sam Brodey’s article, GMOs to Soda Taxes, Here’s What the Election Means for Your Fridge, recounts how Tuesday’s outcome is affecting our food in various states. Despite Tuesday’s abysmal results, there were some positive outcomes. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Colorado: Voters voted against Proposition 105, which would require genetically modified foods to label their products as being “produced with genetic engineering.”
• Oregon: Voters rejected Measure 92, similar to Colorado’s Proposition 105, which would require GMO labeling.
• San Francisco, California: Measure E, a proposition to enforce taxes on soda failed.
• Berkeley California: Measure D, which also suggested taxes on soda passed with 75%.
• Maui, Hawaii: Voters approved a temporary GMO moratorium bill – requiring the production of genetically engineered crops until studies have proved that they’re safe.
• Florida: Steve Southerland, a Republican Congressmen, was ousted by Democrat Gwen Graham. This is surprising news, but incredible for those in Florida. Though it didn’t pass, Southerland submitted legislation last year that would cut food stamp funding by $39 million.
• Kansas: Pat Roberts won reelection for Senator. During this race, he stated that if he won again he would head the Senate Agriculture Committee. This is worrisome since he tried to cut $36 million from the food stamps program last year.