Fed GMO Bill Would Nix Vermont’s Law

A federal GMO labeling bill, introduced to Congress Thursday, would wipe out Vermont’s law that goes into affect July 1.

Source: Fed GMO Bill Would Nix Vermont’s Law

A federal GMO labeling bill, introduced to Congress Thursday, would wipe out Vermont’s law that goes into affect July.

“Vermont’s law requires (food manufacturers) to put clear words in American English letters on the packaging, so people know if there are Genetically Modified Organisms in that food,” said Sen. David Zuckerman, a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.

Vermont is currently the only state to require GMO labeling.  Zuckerman was the lead sponsor for the bill in the Senate.

“The Washington D.C. law would allow it to be a phone number you have to call, or a QR code which most people don’t have phones that even read those,” said Zuckerman.

Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), a non-profit, also opposes the federal bill.

“Nine out of ten Americans want to know whether their food is genetically engineered, and the simplest way to do that is to have a label people can read,” said VPIRG Consumer and Environmental Advocate Falko Schilling.

Schilling says if the federal bill passes, it would delay labeling for another two years nationwide.  Advocates and leaders in Vermont worked from 2012 to 2014 to compose a bill that will now become law.

“Few people have the time, while they’re grocery shopping, to get out their smart phones, check for an internet signal, pull up an application, scan it, and go through whatever information the company decides to put on its website to find out if the food is genetically engineered,” said Schilling.

The U.S. Senate takes up the bill first, followed by the House no sooner than July 5.

“The bill is not enforced and it’s not transparent,” says Zuckerman.

“We’ve been winning so far and now isn’t the time to turn back,” said Schilling.

Beginning July 1, Vermont’s law gives food manufacturers a six month grace period before they must begin labeling.

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