Posted May 12, 2014
After Vermont’s governor signed the law requiring
labeling for foods with genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, the Grocery
Manufacturers’ Association said it will file a lawsuit in federal court
challenging the new law, according to an article by NBC News available here.
The group says that the “government has no compelling
interest in warning consumers about foods containing genetically modified
ingredients.”
Vermont, however, says that the law was written “to
withstand a legal challenge.” Governor
Peter Shumlin has also announced a new website to raise funds to help the state
fight any lawsuits.
The law, taking effect in July of 2016, makes Vermont
the first state to enact mandatory labeling of foods made with GMO
ingredients. Background on the
legislation and the full text of the bill are available here.
Congress is also working on a bill that would create
voluntary GMO food labeling standards and forbid states from passing and
enforcing their own laws, according to an article by the Associated Press
available here.
For more information on food labeling, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
