I’m going to weigh in with both feet on this one and I promise you it won’t be pretty.
California, as many of you know, experiences an interesting form of democracy. Out here on the Left Coast along with our beaches, blonds, oranges and Left Wing ideals we have the Initiative process. This process allows any citizen, with a few requirements, to place an item on the ballot that has the power to change the State constitution. This allows the citizens of California the power to vote in or out following their reason and their passion.
Who thought up this idea?
I am not, let me repeat, I am not a fan of partisan politics. I long for the days of heated discussions and collegiality amongst our elected officials. A healthy difference of opinion helps flush out the meat of an argument. Collegiality and respect allow both sides to compromise. It is often said that ‘If both sides are unhappy, you have a good compromise.’ What I am underwhelmed with is that most voters are swayed by passion, however-well-intended, rather than reason. The result of this are laws written into the State constitution that invariably end up being challenged in court.
Prop 37 is no different. In fact it has already landed in front of the bench and we haven’t even voted on it yet! Here is where a little reading goes a long way. One of the provision of the law states that processed foods may not be labeled as ‘Natural.’ For example flour because it has been milled or olive oil because it has been pressed, may not be labeled as Natural. Okay, on its face this seems innocuous enough and the proponents of Prop 37 have taken a step already to this argument: The sued to have the Secretary of State change the wording in the Impartial Analysis found in the Voter’s guide.
The correction asked for by Proposition 37 supporters, and ordered by the court, amounts to the change of one word. Specifically, the court ordered that the word “some” replace the word “all” in this sentence: “Given the way the measure is written, there is a possibility that these restrictions would be interpreted by the courts to apply to some processed foods regardless of whether they are genetically engineered.” (In the actual voter guide, the word some will not appear in underlined bold form.) *
Okay some processed foods will be effected. But which ones? The law doesn’t state. Here is the kicker, every citizen in the State of California has the right to enforce this law by filing a lawsuit. This lawsuit is filed not against the producer but . . . wait for it . . . the grocer!! Yep folks that’s right, Mom and Pop are now financially responsible to keep reams of paper documentation on hand for every food product in their store and they must produce it for inspection by consumers when asked. If they don’t happen to have the latest GMO information sheet about say . . . Brand X Olive Oil . . . you can sue them. That’s right you as an ordinary citizen can sue your local grocer. That’s just for starters.
“So Tom,” you ask, “Don’t you want to know what is in your food?”
Of course I do and this law on its face makes me feel good. It makes me believe that I am getting useful information when in fact I am not. If I want really useful information I need to bother my grocer into providing me with written information about the product I am considering buying. So here goes. I’m in the store and I find my favorite Natural peanut butter except it is no longer labeled Natural. Only ingredient is still just peanuts. Hmm? Curious. I as the grocer why and he has to drop everything he is doing to dig through . . . Binders! (sorry couldn’t help myself) . . . of paper to find out why. Or I now buy the same loaf of bread that I always do and it is labeled ‘Contains GMO” What’s this?? Again the grocer must dig for a piece of paper while I wait. Multiply this by everyone in the State of California who shops. Not fair, not a well written law.
(It has been brought to my attention that the previous paragraph may not be entirely accurate. I still maintain that this piece of legislation is poorly written and confusion about such interpretations must be settled in court, wasting time and resources. For a well written opposing viewpoint please visit: http://summertomato.com/ )“But Tom,” you say, ” I want to know if my food has any GMO’s. I have a right to know.”
Yes you do! But what does this simple little statement tell you: Contains GMOs. Nothing! If you have not already take a few minutes to read my opinion on the term ORGANIC. You will find that it means little or nothing at all, since there is no one definition for the term. The same with Contains GMOs. There is no one definition. Does my ham contain human growth hormones, is this corn RoundUp resistant? I don’t know. Another kicker is that many items are exempt from labeling. Here is compromise working against our better interests. If we are to do this, we need the complete information on everything we consume.
“But Tom, there may be health risks. We don’t know but I want to be on the safe side.”
Exactly! We do not know. Precisely the reason not to act. Acting without knowing is what got this country in to two expensive drawn out wars. Act when we do know. You will find my voice chief in this case.
“But Tom, 50 other countries already have laws in place labeling GMOs.”
Good for them. How are their laws written. I am not saying that it is a bad idea, just the opposite. What I am saying is that this law is not well written.
“But Tom, look at the two top donors: Monsanato and DuPont Chemical and follow the money.”
Granted I am not a big fan of large corporations. I believe that they have agendas that most likely do not coincide with my best interests. But guilt by association is just another fear tactic being employed to get you to vote for the passage of prop 37. What’s worse yet is that if this poorly written law passes there will be no effort to write a law that actually makes a difference.
Another question: Who is to gain if this law does pass? Most likely the Natural Food Companies that donated to this proposition. The same way they benefit from having the term Organic on their labels. This law is just another bit of marketing hype with no real benefit to consumers.
I am all for knowing what is and what is not in my food. I tend my garden with the minimum of chemical intrusion. I enjoy tasting the sweet ripe flavors of each piece as it comes off the vine. I encourage you to plant your own garden whether it is just a few herbs or you dedicate your front yard to growing food as an example to your neighbors.
But I am voting No on Prop 37. Not because I do not believe in what it stands for but because it is a poorly written piece of legislation.
Eat Well and Smile Often,
tj
p.s. That’s just organic horse manure you smell on my feet.
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I live in a modest home. My great aunt bought this house in ’46 and my grandfather planted vegetables in the spacious yard in the years following his retirement. When I got here there were 5 fruit trees. The old apple I killed accidentally, the peach died from disease and the little plum was just too messy to keep around. The survivors? – the pear and the fig. Old trees the pair – fruitful, happy and healthy. The pears came in over a month ago and were sweet, ripe and delicious. The fig produces 2 crops each year, one early summer and one right . . . about . . . now!
Basil, (pronounced like Nasal) or Basil pronounced like . . . Fawlty Towers? I’m a Fawlty Towers anglophile Basil pronouncer myself. I had a dear friend once roll her eyes back in her head when instead of emphasizing the “O” in Innovative I emphasized a long flat “A” ala the English way. Drove her mad, it was so cute to watch.
I have neglected you my readers and I apologize. I was unexpectedly offered a ticket to Burning Man this year and jumped on it. It took me away from cooking and writing for too long.
Here’s where I have some fun. Take off the heat and ladle tomatoes into a blender and . . . well . . . blend. Return the tomatoes to the pot and repeat the process. This does not give you a perfectly smooth sauce but rather one with some lumps and character, like me. The last 2 blender cans full add the reserved raw onions and blend with the sauce. The raw onions add a sweet little bite that cooked onions don’t. Return to the heat and slowly bring to a boil. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Now here’s the secret sword thrust: Add some sugar. Tomatoes are acidic as you know and adding just a small amount of sweet balances out the flavors.
To finish I tossed in a few handfuls of freshly chopped basil and set to put my sauce up. In another pot I placed jars and lids in tap water then brought them to a boil together. With a large set of tongs I reached into each jar and gently tipped the hot water back into the pot. The jars steaming hot and my sauce taste tested and bubbling I sanitized my ladle in the boiling water and canned my latest pride and joy. As I said, early reports have come back favorable. Don’t forget to place the hot lids on top of the hot jars with the hot sauce. Make sure the top of the jar is wiped clean and no tomato bits are outside of the seal. This will cause your tomatoes to spoil and your guests to get sick. I let my jars cool on the counter and check to make sure that the dimple on the jar lid has sucked down indicating a good seal.
