Vermont to Pass GMO Labeling Law

Malia McPherson

Although Ben & Jerry’s, “Vermont’s Finest” ice cream, already committed to GMO labeling by the end of 2014, their state’s law will now be close behind. On April 23, the Vermont House gave final approval to a bill that will require labeling on foods containing genetically modified ingredients. Gov. Peter Shumlin tweeted that he would sign the bill into law, making Vermont the first state in the U.S. to mandate such labeling. Once the bill takes effect July 1, 2016, all Vermont-retailed foods with more than 0.9% of their total weight in genetically modified ingredients must be labeled with language stating, “may be partially produced with genetic engineering.” Although Connecticut and Maine passed labeling laws in 2013, their statutes stipulate that at least four nearby states pass similar laws before the requirements go into effect. The full, amended statute that passed the Vermont House and Senate can be found here.

But as NPR reported, Vermont’s attorney general is “bracing for a battle” — the bill itself established a $1.5 million fund to help defend against anticipated lawsuits. At stake are free speech issues, federal preemption, and agro-business pushback. Although we will have to “wait-and-see” what legal battles ensue, it is interesting to speculate. Who will fire first: General Mills, Monsanto, the FDA??

Malia McPherson is a first year JD student at Stanford Law School and an officer of its BioLaw organization.