Whole Foods has put a pause on its plan to mandate that its food suppliers label all foods that have contain genetically modified organisms.
After making a name for itself as the top national retailer of organic foods, Whole foods announced in 2015 that it would implement strict rules on clear labeling of these products by 2018.
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is mostly intended to make food products more robust, but the practice has become controversial as some animal studies have linked GMOs to infertility and immune system issues.
Whole Foods promised requirements were meant to protect a customer's 'right to know what they are eating.
In an email to suppliers, however, Whole Foods's president said that the company would hold off on introducing its requirements until the US Department of Agriculture finalized its own rules, Fox Business reported.iPhone transfer software
Whole Foods is reportedly holding off on its plan to require all food suppliers to disclose GMOs in their products' labels
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have long been a source of controversy in the agricultural industry and health and environmental circles.
The catch-all acronym most commonly refers to changes made to the DNA of crops or animals to make them more robust in various environments, make them resistant to herbicides, immune to certain diseases or to make them grow bigger.
Large farms love GMOs because they help to ensure they'll have a better yield from the products they raise. Small farms hate them