Posted December 5, 2013
Colorado could be the next state to vote on labeling
rules for genetically modified (GMO) food, according to an article by the
Huffington Post, available here.
Larry Cooper, co-chair of the Right to Know Colorado
campaign, said that the groups submitted a proposed ballot initiative last
week. If approved, the proposed
“Colorado Right to Know Act,” available here,
will need over 85,000 signatures to be on the November 2014 ballot.
Genetically modified crops are widely grown, with about
90 percent of the nation’s corn crop genetically engineered in some way,
according to a KUNC article available here.
The proposed initiative includes some exceptions for
pet food, chewing gum, and alcohol, but would cover any prepackaged, processed
food or raw agricultural commodity.
Those opposed to GMO labeling including Kraft,
Coca-Cola, and Monsanto, argue that “if genetic engineered ingredients have
been deemed by regulators to pose no health risk they don’t deserve an extra
label.”
Critics argue that the “long-term health effects of
genetically modified food consumption by humans and animals are unknown,”
according to an article by the Northern Colorado Business Report, available here.
Similar ballot measures have failed in California and
recently in Washington.
For more information on food labeling, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
