Labeling of GMO's

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Created on Tuesday, 01 March 2016 18:36
Written by Taylor Fuller

gmo update

AROUND THE NEK- The mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms has been discussed for awhile in the state. Now Act 120 is set to take affect July 1st possibly having a larger impact on Vermonters than what meets the eye.

 

On May 8th, 2014 Governor Peter Shumlin signed Act 120 into law. Upon passing the law The Grocery Manufactures Association, and the International Dairy Foods Association along with many others filed a suit against the state. Many of the industries who are against the mandatory labeling believe that it is against the constitution. Since then there has been multiple motion that the courts drop the case as well as motions that held off the law until there is a court decision.

Food doesn't just come straight from companies, to the stores you shop in, then onto the plates that feed your families. Many organizations help regulate the health and safety of GMO's. The U.S department of agriculture and The Environmental protection agency are there to make sure what you are eating is safe, and many people believe that this enough.

Hopes to get the law dropped has come to a halt after The World Health Organization conducted tests showing that Glyphosate and herbicides that can be found in many GMO's could be carcinogenic. The Center for Food Safety shows that If Vermont's law were to go into affect this July it would join only two other states (Maine, Connecticut) as states that make it monitory to label GMO's. There are 16 additional other states that require the labeling of Genetically Engineered foods. Which leaves thirty two states with out and requirements for labeling.

This Act seems like a bigger deal to the corporations and industries trying to sell their product in the state. One of Vermont largest companies, Ben & Jerry's, has already gone GMO free. With Vermont not being a large market, some fear that companies will back out of shipping their products to the state to avoid having to label all or just some of their products.

The labeling of GMOs will hit most companies within the state, the food industry says that 75% to 80% of all foods have some form of GMO's in them. Although the law still has another four months until permanent companies will have to start thinking earlier rather then later what they will do about the situation.