If Houweling’s Tomatoes ever decides to open a greenhouse in Richmond, it should have no problem passing the city’s new prohibition on Frankenfood.
The Delta-based greenhouse grower is now officially verified by the Non-GMO Project (www.nongmoproject.org). The certification means the tomatoes it grows have not been transgenically modified.
Transgenically modified plants have had the DNA of some other species spliced into their genes to give them properties that would not occur naturally, such as resistance to certain pests.
Soybean, corn, canola, rice and cottonseed oil are plants that are commonly genetically engineered.
Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about genetically modified food and are demanding more information on the produce they buy.
In response to pressure from local consumers, Richmond city council approved a motion May 22 that bans genetically engineered plants and trees.
The ban is a paper tiger, however, because the city does not have the legal authority to enforce it – only the federal government does.
“Although Houweling’s has always been committed to growing tomatoes from non-GMO seeds, it is becoming more and more important for consumers to be aware of this,” said company CEO Casey Houweling.
“The number of inquiries we receive on whether or not we are GMO has never been greater. Recently, we took a call from a California consumer who was convinced our tomatoes were GMO because they were too perfect. What does that say about a consumer mindset that links great quality with genetic tampering?”
