Washington state voters reject mandatory GMO labeling
The state of Washington recently held a statewide ballot vote on a proposed law to require a label on all products with genetically modified (GMO) ingredients. Initiative 522, also known as the Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Measure, was opposed by 55% of Washington voters. Other states have failed to pass similar labeling laws through state legislatures.
Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), which has been following the labeling trend, issued the following statement on Nov. 6 in response to Washington’s election results: “We are pleased that the voters of Washington state rejected I-522 by a significant margin. I-522 was a complex and costly proposal that would have misled consumers, raised the price of groceries for Washington families and done nothing to improve food safety.