States, Federal Government Considering GMO Labeling Regulations

USA Today (6/13, D’ambrosio, 1.71M) reports an increasing number of US states are “taking on the issue of genetically engineered foods, fanning the flames of a decades-old debate about whether the products are dangerous to human health.” 

Vermont recently became the “first state in the nation to pass a bill requiring labeling of foods produced using these genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, followed weeks later by Connecticut.” 

Washington state will also consider a referendum on GMO labeling in November. Furthermore, US Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced a bill in April that directs the FDA to “clearly label” genetically engineered foods. 

Boxer also included amendments in Congress’ farm bill that asks the US to join the other 64 nations that have GMO labeling requirements, as well as ordering a report in six months from agency heads that reviews “the labeling methods used internationally, and the ‘probable impacts’ of having differing labeling requirements passed by states rather than a federal standard.”