Maine becomes second state to require GMO labels

• The Washington Post

• By Reid Wilson

• January 10 at 11:13 am

Maine Gov. Paul LePage in June 2013.   (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)
Maine will become the second state to require labels on food that contains genetically modified ingredients under new legislation signed by Gov. Paul LePage (R) this week — but only after other states follow suit.
LePage signed the legislation, initially introduced by a Republican state representative, over the objections of agriculture giants who produce many of the raw ingredients that go into everyday foods.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that about 70 percent of the food products sold in supermarkets contain genetically modified ingredients, the Portland Press-Herald reported.
But shoppers in Maine won’t see those GMO labels slapped all over grocery stores any time soon. The legislation doesn’t go into effect until five nearby states, including New Hampshire, pass similar labeling laws. New Hampshire’s legislature will take up a similar measure during its legislative session this year.
That provision was necessary, the bill’s backers said, to build a broad base of support. It’s similar to a provision in a GMO labeling bill passed by Connecticut’s legislature, signed into law last month by Gov. Dannel Malloy (D), which won’t take effect until a combination of Northeastern states that add up to 20 million residents pass similar legislation.
Read More Here

Related articles

• GMO Victory: Maine Second State to Enact GMO Labeling
• GMO Victory: Maine Second State to Enact GMO Labeling
• Maine becomes second state to require GMO labels
• GMO Victory: Maine Second State to Enact GMO Labeling
• Grape-Nuts Goes GMO-Free
• Maine Governor Signs GMO Food Labeling Bill