Charlotte — Consumer groups, concerned citizens and local food celebrities hosted a rally in downtown Charlotte Thursday to demand that genetically engineered (GE) foods be labeled.

The groups gathered to send a message to Rep. Becky Carney that they have the right to know what's in the food they feed to their families, as well as the right to know how that food was produced. Consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch joined Charlotte-based food investigative food writer and activist “Food Babe” Vani Hari, Harvest Moon Grille owner/chef Cassie Parsons to launch Let Me Decide, a campaign and statewide call-in day where citizens urged Rep. Carney to introduce a bill to label GE foods.

Genetically engineered ingredients are hidden in many of the foods we eat, but are unlabeled. Currently, ...