Monsanto President Talks About GMO Labeling

The recent announcement by grocery chain Whole Foods that it will require labeling of products containing genetically modified ingredients was greeted with excitement by consumer groups. Biotech giant Monsanto, a leader in GM technology, sees it another way.

Five years from now, Whole Foods hopes to have labels on the GMO products on its shelves. That move has certainly caught the attention of the food industry.

Monsanto President Brett  Begemann, speaking at an ag event this week in Decatur, Illinois, called the move “big” and said it shows that the agriculture industry needs to come together to address the concerns of what he called the “affluent consumer."

“How do we address their concerns and provide them the choice that they’re asking for without driving up the cost on the large part of the population that can not afford another increase in the cost of food,” Begemann said.

The potential of higher costs is one of the concerns companies have raised about the Whole Foods plan. Begmann said the ag industry needs to figure how to cooperate and co-exist with those who have different food policy views.