Will Washington State Legislature Require Labeling of GM Foods?

WASHINGTON STATE — Washington could become the first U.S. state to require labeling of genetically modified foods.

The People’s Right to Know campaign last week announced it has gathered 300,000 signatures in order to approve a petition for consideration by the Washington State Legislature.

The campaign is seeking $50,000 in seed money to meet a deadline by the end of the year to secure 320,000 signatures in support of The People’s Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act (I-522).

“As recommended by the Secretary of State, our goal is to turn in at least 320,000 signatures to ensure we have the 241,153 valid signatures required,” the campaign explains on its website.

The measure would require that foods produced partly or entirely with genetic engineering include a label revealing such information when the foods are offered for retail sale in the state. Foods would not have to identify specific genetically-engineered ingredients under the obligation, which would commence July 2015.

Read more at: http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2012/12/will-washington-state-legislature-require-labelin.aspx