Update: Monsanto Reacts To Win In California Food Fight

California's Proposition 37, which would have required genetically modified foods to be labeled for consumers, has fallen to defeat.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, the measure has fallen to defeat by 53%-47% margin, according to Baldwin Park (CA) Patch.

Creve Coeur-based Monsanto contributed millions of dollars to the campaign to fight the measure. The company declined opportunities to comment on the impact of the initiative prior to the election, but Wednesday morning a spokeswoman issued the following statement:

"Californians have decided that Prop 37 is not in their best interests. Consumers have many choices and can select the products they prefer.

We expect the food industry to continue meeting the needs of their customers through their product offerings and with truthful and non-misleading labeling. FDA labeling guidance remains in place which requires labeling of material differences in foods, whether it be in composition, nutrition or safety."

 "The more voters learned about Prop. 37, the less they would like it,"Kathy Fairbanks, a spokeswoman for the opposition told the San Francisco Chronicle, "We didn't think they would like the lawsuits, more bureaucracy, higher costs, loopholes and exemptions. It looks like they don't."