Which States Are Considering Labels for GMO Foods?

The movement to require food companies to label products that were genetically engineered is heating up in the U.S. this year. Thirty-five bills have been introduced in 20 states on the issue, and ballot initiatives are set in Colorado and Oregon.

A number of polls have shown over 90% of Americans would prefer GMO foods to be labelled as such. That desire is starting to translate to action, as Connecticut, Maine and Vermont — which is currently being sued by the food industry– have already passed labeling laws for genetically engineered foods, often called genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

These foods come from crops that have been modified using biotechnology to create more desirable traits, such as higher yields or disease resistance, and were introduced to the U.S. food supply 20 years ago. There is no documented health risk to eating genetically engineered foods.

The Food and Drug Administration, which governs food labeling, says manufacturers may voluntarily label their products as genetically engineered, but doesn’t require it and hasn’t taken a stance on genetically engineered foods, according to FDA press spokesperson Jennifer Corbett Dooren.

“In general, a state may establish a food-labeling requirement unless such requirement is preempted by federal law,” Ms. Corbett Dooren said. “Determining whether a state requirement is preempted by federal law depends on a number of factors including the language and effect of the state requirement.”

According to Colin O’Neil, director of government affairs for Center for Food Safety, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, the desire for labeling boils down to transparency.

“In the absence of information, consumers can be deceived about the products they’re buying and feeding their families,” Mr. O’Neil said, likening the issue to “from concentrate” orange juice, which is required to say so.

He also said it prevents public health organizations from tracking “unintended health effects” and prevents consumers from making decisions about GMOs for perceived health risks, as well as for religious, environmental and socio-economic reasons.

For information on GMOs and answers to common questions, visit www.gmoanswers.com.