Food industry’s trade association, the Grocery Manufacturers Association in the US and other industry groups have filed a suit in federal court to block Vermont’s genetically modified organisms (GMO) labeling law.
Filed in the US District Court in Burlington, the suit was meant to overturn a law requiring labels on foods that are made with GMO, by Vermont, arguing that it would be difficult for the industry to meet the new law requirements.
In May, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed a first-in-the-nation law requiring the labeling of food produced from genetic engineering, making the state the first in the nation to require it.
Claiming that food made with GMOs is safe, the lawsuit further states that the law by Vermont exceeds the authority of the state under the US Constitution.
As ruled by the US Food and Drug Administration, food from genetically modified plants is not materially different compared to other food, while it is considered by critics as a possible health threat.
Set to come into effect in two years, the Vermont law, which would also ban food manufacturers from advertising products containing GMO ingredients as 'natural', requires retailers to post signs on displays of genetically engineered foods that are unpackaged.
Peter Shumlin said, "There is no doubt that there are those who will work to derail this common sense legislation. But I believe this bill is the right thing to do and will gain momentum elsewhere after our action here in Vermont."
Food for human consumption that is entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering and offered for retail sale in the state must be labeled to indicate the fact, under the law, as of 1 July 2016.
Snack Food Association, the Intenational Dairy Foods Association, and the National Association of Manufacturers also joined the GMA to file the lawsuit.
