Moments after Vermont Governor Peer Shumlin signed a law on May 8th requiring that all foods containing genetically modified ingredients sold in that state be labeled as such, the Grocery Manufacturing Association (GMA) said it would sue the state. And now it has.
Yesterday, the GMA, the Snack Foods Association, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Association of Manufacturers filed suit in federal district court challenging the law which was the first of its kind. The law goes into effect July 1, 2016. After that date, violators face penalties and further action by the Attorney General’s Office.
“Vermont’s mandatory GMO labeling law – Act 120 – is a costly and misguided measure that will set the nation on a path toward a 50-state patchwork of GMO labeling policies that do nothing to advance the health and safety of consumers. Act 120 exceeds the state’s authority under the United States Constitution and in light of this, GMA has filed a complaint in federal district court in Vermont seeking to enjoin this senseless mandate,” the GMA said in statement about the lawsuit.
