Posted August 22, 2014
Colorado’s
secretary of state has announced that the requirement of labeling genetically
modified (GMO) foods will be on the November ballot, according to a Washington
Post article by Niraj Choski available here.
The Denver Post also published an article available here
and Reuters here.
Proposition
105 submitted almost 40,000 more valid signatures than the required 86,105.
The proposition asks voters if genetically modified foods
should be labeled "Produced With Genetic Engineering" effective July
1, 2016, according to Denver
Post.
Foods from animals that have not been genetically modified
but have been fed or injected with genetically modified food or drugs are
exempt, as are unpackaged foods for immediate consumption, alcoholic beverages,
food for animals and medically prescribed foods.
GMO crop developers and their supporters have stated that
genetically modified crops are proven safe, however, consumers are still skeptical of their safety.
Recently, Vermont became the first
state to mandate GMO labeling, but the state was sued a month later by
industry groups.
Oregon will also have a GMO labeling initiative on the
November ballot.
Right to Know Colorado was a major campaign contributor in
favor of the initiative.
"If GMOs are safe, as companies say, then why not label
them on food?" Right to Know Colorado campaign Chair Larry Cooper said on
Thursday.
Other parties are worried about the high costs associated
with the change, according to Denver
Post.
"Proposition 105 will absolutely raise food prices to
the tune of hundreds of dollars per year for a family of four,"said Sara
Froelich, spokeswoman for the Colorado-based Coalition Against the Misleading
Labeling Initiative. "We have a broad coalition who are very concerned
about Proposition 105."
For more information on food labeling, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
