Vermont Passes Legislation on Food Genetic Engineering and GMO Labeling Requirements

FAIRFIELD, N.J. - June 20, 2014 - PRLog -- This is the first genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling legislation in the United States that didn’t require certain conditions to implement it.

Vermont Bill H. 112 – Requirements on Food Genetic Engineering Labeling

After 1 July 2016 a Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) in packaged form offered for sale by a retailer in the state of Vermont that is entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering must state “produced with genetic engineering” clearly and conspicuously.  If the RAC is not separately packaged the retailer shall post a label with the same statement on the retail store shelf or bin in which the commodity is displayed. For any processed foods in packaged form that contains a product or products of genetic engineering the label must state “partially produced with genetic engineering”; “may be produced with genetic engineering” or “produced with genetic engineering”.

Unless exempted from these labeling requirements, if the food is produced entirely or in part from genetic engineering the product package, signage or advertising shall not declare the product as “natural”, “naturally made”, naturally grown”, “all natural” or any similar words that would mislead the consumer.

Food and GMO Labeling - Some of the Exemptions

- Food consisting of or derived entirely from an animal which has not itself been produced from genetic engineering regardless if it has been fed or injected with any substance produced with genetic engineering.

- Any processed food solely if it includes one or more processing aids or enzymes produced with genetic engineering.

- Any processed food solely because it includes one or more materials produced with genetic engineering provided the material or materials total is not more than 0.9% of the total weight of the processed food.

- Alcoholic beverages as listed in Title 7 of the Vermont Statues.

- Food that is not packaged for retail sale and that is a processed food prepared and intended for immediate human consumption or served, sold or provided in any restaurant or food establishment.

- Medical food as defined in 21 U.S.C 360ee(b)(3).

GMO Labeling on Infant Food

Additionally on 04 June 2013 the State of Connecticut passed Bill HB 6527 that requires infant formula or baby food that is produced from GMOs to be labeled as “produced with genetic engineering”. This labeling is to start 1 July 2015 and compliance enforcement date is 1 July 2019. This law was to become effective 1 October 2013 providing that four additional states passed similar legislation, one of which must border Connecticut and the total population of the states must exceed 20 million people. These conditions have not been met as of May 2014.

On 12 June 2013, the State of Maine passed LD 718 which requires food and feed produced from GMOs to have a disclosure statement of “Produced with Genetic Engineering”. Disclosure is to take place in 18 months. Compliance enforcement date is 1 July 2019 and does not apply to foods with less than 0.9% GMOs, alcoholic beverages, restaurants, unintentional commingled products and other conditions set forth in the law. The law will be repealed if a similar law is not adopted in at least five states or states with a population or combined population of at least 20 million people.

References:

- Bill H.112 (http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2014/bills/Passed/H-112C.pdf) passed by House and Senate

- Title 7 on Alcoholic Beverages (http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/chapters.cfm?Title=07) – The Vermont Statutes Online

- Chapter 9 - Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Subchapter V - Drugs and Devices, United States Code 2010 (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title21/html/USC...)

- Substitute Bill No. 6527 (http://openstates.org/ct/bills/2013/HB6527/documents/CTD00016729)

- “Connecticut passes first GMO food labeling law in US” – RT.com (http://rt.com/usa/connecticut-first-gmo-labeling-law-241)

- An Act To Protect Maine Food Consumers' Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food and Seed Stock, 126^th Maine Legislature  (http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0490&item=1&snum=126)

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