Vermont will be first state in nation to require GMO labelling

Vermont will likely be the first state in the nation to require food manufacturers to label products containing genetically modified organisms. Gov. Peter Shumlin said Wednesday he will sign Vermont's GMO labeling bill into law.

His announcement came just minutes after the House gave H.112 final legislative approval by a 114-30 vote.

"I am proud of Vermont for being the first state in the nation to ensure that Vermonters will know what is in their food," Shumlin said in a statement. "Vermont has led the local food movement that is better connecting people nationwide with the food they eat."

The bill would take effect July 1, 2016. Other states have labeling laws that go into effect when neighboring states pass similar policies.

Sen. David Zuckerman, P/D-Chittenden, has been pushing for GMO labeling for much of his career in the state Legislature. Zuckerman was first elected to the House in 1996.

"Vermont has now put a stake in the sand around food transparency, and it may well help create that across the country, much as we did with marriage equality and other historic measures," Zuckerman said.

There will be challenges ahead, he said.

Read more at www.reformer.com

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