COMMITTEE ENDORSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS

COMMITTEE ENDORSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS

Majority Support “Produced with Genetic Engineering” sticker

 AUGUSTA— Yesterday, a majority of the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee voted in favor of a bill that will require genetically modified (GMO) food to be labeled as such when sold.

“Everyone has a right to know what is in the food they buy,” said Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville), the lead co-sponsor of the bill. “We have labels that tell us if food is organic, what the nutritional value and calorie count are, and even whether the orange juice is from concentrate. Now we will know whether our food contains genetically engineered ingrediernts.”

The measure requires most foods sold in Maine to be labeled “Produced with Genetic Engineering” if they contain genetically modified ingredients.  More than 60 countries, including Japan, China, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, and the 27 countries of the European Union, require labeling of all GMO foods, and a recent poll by PanAtlanticSMS Group of Portland found that 91 percent of Mainers are in favor of such labeling.

“This is the right action for Maine to take,” added Senator Johnson.  “There are plenty of studies that give people reason to its health impacts. GMO labeling will allow consumers to make informed choices on food purchases to manage their risk.”

The bill, LD 718, “An Act To Protect Maine Food Consumers’ Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food and Seed Stock,” now goes to the Senate and House for more votes.

Senator Johnson represents Senate District 20, the Mid-Coast Region. In the Maine Legislature, Senator Johnson chairs the Marine Resources Committee and serves on the Education and Government Oversight Committees.