Several major U.S. agricultural organizations came to the defense of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production, criticizing a leading yogurt maker for seeking to build and market a GMO-free dairy supply chain. The organizations contend a strategy to eliminate GMOs is a move away from sustainability and will result in long-term negative environmental impacts.
Yogurt maker Dannon is one of several prominent food manufacturers and retailers taking steps to eliminate GMO ingredients from its supply chain. Last April, the company introduced the “Dannon Pledge,” committing to evolve three of its yogurt brands – Dannon, Danimals and Oikos – to be made with non-GMO ingredients, as well as sourcing milk from cows not fed GMO feedstuffs by 2018. Additionally, the company said it would label products containing GMO ingredients by the end of 2016.
Read: ‘Dannon Pledge’ includes sourcing milk from cows fed non-GMO
In a letter sent to Mariano Lozano (head of Dannon’s U.S. operations), leaders of six major U.S. agricultural organizations – the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance – said Dannon’s strategy to eliminate GMOs “is the exact opposite of the sustainable agriculture that you claim to be seeking. Your pledge would force farmers to abandon safe, sustainable farming practices that have enhanced farm productivity over the last 20 years while greatly reducing the carbon footprint of American agriculture.”
“This is just marketing puffery, not any true innovation that improves the actual product offered to consumers,” said Randy Mooney, NMPF chairman and a dairy farmer from Rogersville, Missouri. “What’s worse is that removing GMOs from the equation is harmful to the environment – the opposite of what these companies claim to be attempting to achieve.”
Dannon: accusations unfounded
Dannon called the accusations unfounded, saying the “Dannon Pledge” promoted sustainable agriculture and transparency.
“We were surprised to receive a divisive and misinformed letter about our efforts to continue to grow America's enjoyment of dairy products, including yogurt,” according to a statement issued by the company. “Making yogurt begins with the wholesome milk that our farmers sell to us. Unlike any other large dairy processors, we have built direct and transparent relationships with our independent American dairy farmer partners.”
Dannon did not dispute the safety of GMOs, but defended its desire to meet consumer demands while advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
“Regarding GMO crops, we believe the currently approved GMOs are safe,” according to the statement. “Furthermore, we believe that sustainable agricultural practices can be achieved with or without the use of GMOs. However, we believe there is growing consumer preference for non-GMO ingredients and food in the U.S. and we want to use the strong relationships we have with our farmer partners to provide products that address this consumer demand. The changes we will make will enable consumers to make everyday choices for themselves, their family and children consistent with their wish for more natural and sustainable eating options, choosing which agricultural and environmental model they favor.”
“For our entire portfolio, to help improve sustainable agricultural practices and protect biodiversity, we are working with our farmer partners to reach for better soil health, water quality and quantity, an increase in biodiversity, and decrease in carbon emission and energy use,” Dannon continued. “We are co-creating innovative solutions to fulfill this pledge with our business partners, similar to what we have already started with our direct milk suppliers.”
Dannon said its approach – resulting in significant growth in the yogurt category – has benefitted its dairy farmer partners.
"We believe strongly that the unparalleled range of choice that Danone's U.S. affiliates provide, from organic to non-GMO ingredients and to conventional dairy is a reason to celebrate rather than criticize," Lozano said.
Headquartered in White Plains, New York, Dannon produces yogurt in facilities located in Minster, Ohio, Fort Worth, Texas, West Jordan, Utah, and Portland, Oregon. Dannon is a subsidiary of Danone, which makes and markets yogurt worldwide.
Marketing called deceptive
Calling non-GMO marketing claims deceptive and misleading, the organizations’ leaders urged Dannon and other food companies going down the non-GMO path to recognize that their sustainability goals, intended to reduce the use of natural resources, cannot be achieved without the use of modern agricultural practices.
The groups agree biotechnology plays an important role in reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture and challenged as disingenuous the assertion that sustainability is enhanced by stopping the use of GMO processes.
“Farming organizations are standing up for the technology that supports continuous improvement in farm sustainability. Farmers and ranchers have grown GMO crops over the past 20 years precisely because biotechnology helps farmers preserve resources for the future,” said Nancy Kavazanjian, chairwoman of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and a corn, soybean and wheat farmer in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. “When food companies are making sourcing decisions, farm groups encourage them to recognize that modern, conventional agriculture is sustainable.”
The organizations contend studies conducted over the past 20 years prove the safety of GMO food and the environmental benefits of growing GM crops. Recently, 109 Nobel laureates announced their support of GMO technology, citing a study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine saying, “the study committee found no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops, nor did it find conclusive cause-and-effect evidence of environmental problems from the GE crops.”
“Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the safety GMO crops and their benefits to the environment, marketers of some major food brands, such as Dannon, have aligned themselves against biotechnology,” said Wesley Spurlock, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “Farming organizations believe in open and honest communication with consumers, and allowing people to make informed choices in the market. But we cannot sit by while certain food companies spread misinformation under the guise of a marketing campaign.
“When food companies directly mislead consumers, as has been done in this example with Dannon, individual farmers as well as farm organizations will continue to assertively defend our critical technologies,” said U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance CEO Randy Krotz. 
-
Dave Natzke
- Editor
- Progressive Dairyman
- Email Dave Natzke
