Just Label It Applauds Vermont’s Commitment to GE Labeling in Historic Senate Vote

Contact: Violet Batcha
(315) 262-5990, violet@justlabelit.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 15, 2014 

Washington, D.C. – State senators in Vermont showed their true commitment to giving consumers more information about their food in an historic vote today that could help to pave the way for many other labeling efforts across the country, Just Label It said in a statement.

The bill, H. 112, would require the labeling of foods that contain genetically engineered (GE) ingredients sold in Vermont. This move is a strong indication that Vermont could become the first state to enact a law requiring GE labeling.

“We are one giant step closer to giving consumers the right-to-know about GE ingredients in Vermont and across the country,” said Violet Batcha, JLI’s Communications Manager. “If Vermont’s bill passes, food manufacturers will have to tell us more, not less, about the foods we eat. We hope it will inspire even more states to act and mandate labeling.”

The bill passed through the Senate with a vote of 28 to 2. It will now go to conference committee for a final vote. Unlike the GE labeling laws passed in Maine and Connecticut, which require other surrounding states to pass similar legislation, Vermont’s bill has no “trigger” clauses. That means Vermont’s law, if passed, would be able to go into effect July 1, 2016 regardless of what happens in other states.

Close to 30 other states are considering similar labeling bills or ballot initiatives this year. Polls show that 93% of American consumers want the right-to-know what they’re eating, a right held by citizens in 64 countries around the world that already label GE foods.

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