Teaching Guide

Topic: Government Transparency in Food Labeling

Host: Dorique Insisienmay

Guest: Gavin Plumlee

Description:

Government transparency in food labeling is increasingly significant as consumers demand clear, accurate information about what they eat. This issue touches on public health, ethics, and trust in regulatory bodies, especially with the rise of GMOs and advanced food technologies. Debates focus on balancing consumer rights to know their food's contents with industry concerns about regulatory burdens. Advocates push for stricter labeling standards to ensure informed choices and support sustainability, while critics argue for voluntary approaches due to cost and feasibility. This tension highlights broader questions of trust and accountability in the food system

Objectives:

1. I can explain why transparency in food labeling is important to consumers.
2. I can identify consumer concerns about food labeling, including GMOs and government regulations.
3. I can evaluate the impact of stricter food labeling laws on trust, pricing, and consumer choice.

Pre-Listening Questions:

1. Why might some consumers care about detailed food labeling?
2. What are GMOs, and why do they often appear in labeling debates?
3. How do you think stricter food labeling regulations could impact grocery prices?

Guided Questions:

1. What reasons does Gavin Plumlee give for why food labeling is important to him?
2. How does Gavin feel about stricter government regulations on food labeling?
3. What are Gavin’s thoughts on including GMOs or gene editing information on food labels?
4. How much trust does Gavin place in food companies to provide honest labeling?
5. What does Gavin say about the potential impact of stricter food labeling on grocery prices?
6. What is Gavin’s opinion on the government’s role in ensuring transparency in food labeling?
7. What changes does Gavin believe should be made to food labeling today?

Post-Listening Questions:

1. Provide two reasons why consumers, like Gavin, support transparency in food labeling.
2. Explain one potential downside of stricter government regulations on food labeling that Gavin mentioned.
3. In your opinion, do the benefits of including GMO information on food labels outweigh the challenges? Why or why not?

Scoring Rubric for Post-Listening Questions:

1. Provide two reasons why consumers, like Gavin, support transparency in food labeling.

•       Level One: Provides one reason with no explanation.

•       Level Two: Provides one reason and an example from the podcast.

•       Level Three: Provides two reasons and examples from the podcast, with clear connections to the discussion.

2. Explain one potential downside of stricter government regulations on food labeling that Gavin mentioned.

•       Level One: Mentions a downside without explanation.

•       Level Two: Describes one downside with some detail.

•       Level Three: Explains a downside in detail and relates it to consumer impact.

3. In your opinion, do the benefits of including GMO information on food labels outweigh the challenges? Why or why not?

•       Level One: States a simple opinion without explanation.

•       Level Two: Provides an opinion with one reason or example.

•       Level Three: Provides a well-reasoned opinion supported by at least two examples or arguments from the podcast.