Posted December 5, 2013
 
Colorado could be the next state to vote on labeling rules for genetically modified (GMO) food, according to an article by the Huffington Post, available here.
 
Larry Cooper, co-chair of the Right to Know Colorado campaign, said that the groups submitted a proposed ballot initiative last week.  If approved, the proposed “Colorado Right to Know Act,” available here, will need over 85,000 signatures to be on the November 2014 ballot. 
 
Genetically modified crops are widely grown, with about 90 percent of the nation’s corn crop genetically engineered in some way, according to a KUNC article available here.
 
The proposed initiative includes some exceptions for pet food, chewing gum, and alcohol, but would cover any prepackaged, processed food or raw agricultural commodity. 
 
Those opposed to GMO labeling including Kraft, Coca-Cola, and Monsanto, argue that “if genetic engineered ingredients have been deemed by regulators to pose no health risk they don’t deserve an extra label.”
 
Critics argue that the “long-term health effects of genetically modified food consumption by humans and animals are unknown,” according to an article by the Northern Colorado Business Report, available here.
 
Similar ballot measures have failed in California and recently in Washington.

 

For more information on food labeling, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
 
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