Website Source

Bryne, P.  (2010, September) .  Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods.

   www.ext.colostate.edu. Retrieved from  

   http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html#top


Summary:  The primary purpose for this web article is to display current labeling requirements by the FDA regarding genetically engineered foods (GE foods) and the pros/cons of the proposed idea for required labeling of all GE foods.

Assess:  This web article gives information on what the current requirements are on GE food labeling.  The author, P,Bryne, gives solid references that allow the reader to traverse to the FDA website that explains the regulations he has displayed in his web article.  The web page itself is set up for ease of information and allows any reader to understand what the FDA mandates on consumer food labels with respect to GE content.  The author also demonstrates, with little bias, the pros and cons of labeling GE foods for both the consumer and the food manufacturer.  Furthermore, the currency of this article is shown on the bottom left of the web page and reflects that it was last updated Aug 3, 2012 which demonstrated the author has kept up with current changes since his publication date of September, 2010.  Lastly, the author clearly marks his credentials at the bottom of the website demonstrating his expertise on this particular topic.  This openness by the author creates an authoritative overview regarding the GE food labeling proposition and give a certain credibility to his article.

Reflect:  This web article, as well as the website it is attached too, will provide me expert based information that I will gladly apply to my research for GE food labeling.  It gives cut and dry information that will be easily summarized and applied to better my web text.  With it's current content and hyper links leading me to oficial government based websites I will find a plethora of information to use.


Lisa J, Bunin,  Ph.D.  (2012, July) .  What's in a Label?  www.centerforfoodsafety.org. Retrieved

   from http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/organic-fact-sheet-2.pdf


Summary:  The idea behind this web article is to demonstrate the way in which food manufacturers use words such as "all natural" or "natural" on a food label to draw the consumer in for a sale.  These words are misleading to consumers because the "all natural" ingredients that are said to be used to create the products are in fact not regulated by the USDA, or the FDA.  In short there is no way to know wether the food labeled "100% natural" is truly made with all natural ingredients.  The author of this article, Lisa J, Bunin, Ph.D, is trying to show consumers that the policies of marketing used by major food producers are aimed at money making rather honest healthy products.  This in turn makes it more difficult for the consumer to purchased wholesome organic food when they think they are purchasing wholesome "natural" food.

Assess:  The first thing to catch my attention about this article was the current date in which is was published.  Aside from that, I was a bit concerned over the ".org" portion of this web article.  Mainly because I understand that this website displays a biased motive aimed at making food corporations to look negative in the public eye.  Through out this article I did find a heavy bias tone playing against the policies used by food producers, however, because of that bias I am hesitant to take this information to heart (completely any ways).  Additionally, in this article the author seem to use her Ph.D status and affiliation with the Center for Food Safety organization to propel her argument rather cited facts and sources that I can continue researching on my own.  Its almost as if the author has created a trap for the reader in which you either believe what she says, or you believe what she says.  Branching out to the broader website the article was found in, I noticed clearly displays "take action" buttons and "hot topic" side bars that excite the reader into taking a stand again the evil corporations that are taking over the food supply.  Now, this is not to say that there was not some legitimate information given by this article (or the website for that matter),  but more that this article needs to be taken with a grain of salt and some more cross referencing to verify the "facts" that were given may be needed.

Reflect:  The information I have gathered from this web article may be one I use as a cross reference from another credible source, but I will most likely not use this article as a stand alone source for my web text.  I find the bias motive and lack of citing, or sources to be to much to over look.