January 19, 2016

Maine legislature debates GMO labeling law

A Maine law on labeling foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is heating up again in the state legislature. The law requires labeling of foods with GMOs if five contiguous states, including Maine, pass similar laws. If five contiguous states don’t pass a labeling law by Jan. 1, 2018, the Maine law would be automatically repealed.

Some supporters of labeling genetically engineered foods are pushing to have the five-state stipulation repealed, which would put the law into effect. A State House panel will soon be taking up the issue.

Here’s more from the Associated Press:

Some label supporters, and some opponents, argue that repealing the trigger would leave Maine with different rules than nearby states, and local grocers on the hook for the cost of the labels. Others say the state should have the right to act on the labels on its own.

Still others on both sides have said the state should wait to see what federal lawmakers do with the issue, since industry-supported legislation that is pending U.S. Senate approval would pre-empt any state labeling requirements.


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