The legislative initiative, titled I-522, would require food
companies to label products that contain GMOs. It would also allow citizens to
file suit against companies if state officials do not take action after 60 days
of being notified of a violation. A similar initiative in California was
defeated last year, 51.4 to 48.6 percent.
Supporters argue that consumers have a right to know if GMOs
are being used food products. They point to the fact that the health effects of
GMOs are not completely known, and that some DNA sequences can come from
animals, bacteria, or other non-plant organisms. Some proponents are also
concerned that without proper documentation GMO crops may accidently
cross-pollenate with their non-GMO counterparts nearby.
Opponents, meanwhile, point to possibility of increased food
prices under the new system. The cost of labeling every product that uses GMOs,
coupled with the threat of potential lawsuits if companies make a mistake, could
drive up prices on a variety of everyday items.
An initiative must have 241,153 valid signatures to qualify
for the ballot, which I-522 has cleared handily. The initiative will first go to
the legislature, where legislators may choose to pass it as if it were a normal
piece of legislation. If the legislature opts not to take action, then the
initiative is sent to the voters as I-522. If the legislature amends the
initiative, then both the original and the amended version are sent to voters as
initiatives.
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon can be seen discussing GMO
labeling on Fox Business here.
