Betty Crocker Stands with Science & Modern Agriculture

Are you #BakingWithBetty? I am.

Granted, Betty Crocker cake mixes (specifically the ones with “pudding in the mix”) always have been my favorite, at the rock-solid recommendation of my mom. But now I have another reason to pick up their products.

“Reading a can of @BettyCrocker frosting this AM, as one does, and learned it’s ‘partially produced with genetic engineering.’ Wait, what? Betty, Betty, Betty … explain yourself, please. #GMO #geneticfrosting #FrankenFood”

So what does Betty have to say for “herself” on the matter of genetic engineering? She’s saying what scientists say:

The General Mills’ statement also explains that they know some people remain uncomfortable with the thought of genetically modified crops, especially because of concerns of over-reliance on herbicides and decreases in biodiversity. The company explains it does have and labels a variety of organic and non-GMO products.

What I love about the Betty Crocker response is that it doesn’t vilify anyone.

I have no problems buying, using and feeding my family with GMO products. I trust science and trust that techniques will continue to improve. But I have no problem with other people having a different way of looking at things. If you want to buy a product that has not used biotechnology, go for it.

Betty Crocker didn’t back away from its way of doing things or try to deflect. It didn’t, in the way of some other food companies (cough, Panera, cough, Chipotle), decide to start badmouthing modern agriculture. Instead, the company presented honest, open information in a non-argumentative way. It stood up for its way of doing things, and thus stood up for the farmers who grow crops that end up in Betty Crocker products.

In doing so, Betty Crocker gained supporters in agriculture, with a number of so-called “Ag Twitter” users announcing their intentions to start #BakingWithBetty.

The one problem I do have with the General Mills’ GMO statement is that it touts the fact that it has enrolled some products in the Non-GMO Project. I hope, as federal biotechnology rules go into effect in the near future, that companies like General Mills will consider dropping that propaganda program in preference to a more honest label. (For those who aren’t aware, the Non-GMO Project labels products as non-GMO even when there are no GMO varieties available for a product, thereby confusing consumers. It also labels products for which there is no genetic material to be modified, like water and salt. Thus, it provides no substantial information but instead exists solely to smear GMOs.)