Posted December 16, 2013
Governor of Connecticut, Dannel P. Malloy, recently
signed a bill requiring all foods containing genetically modified (GMO)
ingredients to be labeled, according to a CT Post article available here. Public Act 13-183 is available here.
In June, Connecticut residents voted to approve the
bill requiring all foods meant for human consumption and containing GMO
ingredients to be properly labeled, according to an article by RT available here. The bill requires at least four other
Northeastern states “with a combined population of no fewer than 20 million to
approve similar acts before it can officially go on the books.”
Maine has passed a substantially identical measure, but
others are necessary for the law to take effect.
Gov. Malloy said, “I am proud that leaders from each of
the legislative caucuses can come together to make our state the first in the
nation to require the labeling of GMOs…The end result is a law that shows our
commitment to consumers’ right to know while catalyzing other states to take
similar action.”
Fifteen nations in the European Union require labels
for GMO products, “and Zambia, Benin and Serbia have all instated prohibitions
against products.” Earlier this week, China blocked a shipment of corn from the
United States, citing an unapproved GMO product. An
official from the Federal Reserve commented on these events, saying farmers
should consider internationally accepted GMO standards.
For more information on food labeling, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
