While those who support California’s Proposition 37 assert that labeling GM foods is necessary to provide clarification to consumers, implementing such a measure would ultimately be detrimental to consumers and food producers alike, according to a report by agricultural economists at the University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.

The authors’ findings, published in the foundation’s bi-monthly magazine ARE Update, indicate that the proposed legislation would lead to consumer confusion, increased prices for many food items and less choice overall in stores.

The paper also draws attention to contradictions in the proposed labeling legislation. “If Prop 37 is approved, then consumers in California could face less choice and confusing information at their food markets despite claims that Prop 37 would result in more choice and better information,” it states. Read more.

Richard Cornett of the Western Plant Health Association notes that if California passes legislation this November mandating labeling of all GM foods, food producers throughout the country will suffer from steep costs.

If the labeling initiative becomes law, nearly 80 percent of the food in California’s grocery stores will need to be labeled. Food companies will be required either to develop California-only packaging or simply change their packaging altogether, a process that would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Read more.