Food packages are larded with labels, many of which employ nonspecific adjectives – “wholesome” and the like – rather than plain fact.

Measure 92, which Oregon voters will decide on in the Nov. 4 election, deals with the factual kind of label.

It would require packaged food to include a label if the food contains genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Many foods do contain GMOs, and have for more than 20 years.

We support Measure 92 because we believe consumers should have as much accurate information as possible about their food.

But we think it’s equally important, although this is not part of Measure 92, that Oregonians also understand that they have nothing to fear from GMOs.

The consensus among scientists and doctors as to safety of GMO food (also known as bioengineered food) is overwhelming. Here’s a couple examples from organizations whose expertise is beyond reproach:

andbull; American Medical Association (2012): “Bioengineered foods have been consumed for close to 20 years, and during that time, no overt consequences on human health have been reported and/or substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature. To date, no evidence hassupported an increased degree of allergenicity of bioengineered foods compared to their nonbioengineered counterparts.”

andbull; World Health Organization (2013): “GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved.”

There are of course substances which can get into our foods and which, unlike GMOs, might be harmful. A label that identified the presence of, say, pesticide residue would be far more beneficial than a label for something innocuous such as GMOs.