If you Are What You Eat, Souldn't you Know What Is Inside That Package and Where It Comes From?

Abstract

This presentation examines national and international political struggles over food labeling, food scares, concerns about climate change and sustainable food production have increased public concern about food regulations and led to demands for more information about what we are eating. Given globalized food systems, eaters must rely on others to assure the quality and safety of what we eat and face challenges in knowing its provenance. Labeling can aid consumers to make choices and redress the shift of power and influence to large corporate agribusiness only i trade rules and agreements do not limit or circumscribe consumer choice. Food labeling is also of concern to food exporters and organizations like the World Trade Organization and the Codex Alimentarius because it has trade implications, blocking or limiting market access and/or conferring commercial advantages on one product or over another. Corporate agribusiness and biotechnology firms have agressively lobbied against certain mandatory rules on food labeling while consumer, local food and environmental actvitists, and public opinion have supported it.