Starting in July of 2016, Prop 105 would require “Produced with Genetic Engineering” labels on genetically modified or engineered food for sale in Colorado with the exception of
- chewing gum,
- alcoholic beverages,
- food prepared for immediate consumption or sold by restaurants,
- medically prescribed foods,
- food (e.g., cheese) which is only considered genetically engineered because of a genetically engineered processing aid,
- food derived from an animal such as eggs, meat or honey unless the animal was genetically engineered, and
- food and drink for animals.
The Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment would oversee implementation and enforcement of the labeling requirements. Existing state penalties for food mislabeling would apply to violators. Individuals could not take legal action against anyone in the food supply chain for violations.
American scientists Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen started the field of genetic engineering in 1973. Genetically engineered foods, often called genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been in the food supply since the 1990s. Often crops are genetically modified to increase yields by increasing resistance to pests, diseases, environmental conditions or herbicide treatments. The Food and Drug Administration has the same safety guidelines for genetically engineered food as any other food. Almost all the soybean and corn grown in the US is genetically modified.
Recommendation: leaning toward yes
There are 64 nations which require labeling of genetically modified food, including developed countries such as Japan, China, Russia, Brazil and Australia. The European Union has required labeling of genetically modified food since 1997. The Vermont, Maine and Connecticut legislatures passed labeling laws which are due to take effect at the same time or later than Prop 105. Meanwhile, the Boulder region is seen as a hub of natural foods.
An important issue in GMO labeling is the threshold number. It is difficult to prevent mixing of small amounts of GMO and non-GMO products in the food supply chain. The EU works around this issue by requiring labeling on foods with greater than 0.9% genetically modified content. Prop 105 is more stringent; it has a 0% threshold.
If this were a constitutional amendment, I would recommend voting against it. However, the legislature can tweak the statute to include a small threshold, making it a more viable law.
We require that ingredients be listed on food packages. I see including information about genetically engineered products as just telling a fuller story of the ingredients. California has been a main driver for reducing vehicle emissions because of their stringent laws. Colorado and Washington are creating the path for legalized, recreational marijuana. Maybe Colorado, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut will be the trend setters for the nation when it comes to genetically engineered labeling.
Website for the Yes side (Right to Know Colorado GMO)
http://www.righttoknowcolorado.org/
Website for the No side (No on 105 Coalition)
http://noon105.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Proposition 105 (STATUTORY)
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning labeling of genetically modified food; and, in connection therewith, requiring food that has been genetically modified or treated with genetically modified material to be labeled, "Produced With Genetic Engineering" starting on July 1, 2016; exempting some foods including but not limited to food from animals that are not genetically modified but have been fed or injected with genetically modified food or drugs, certain food that is not packaged for retail sale and is intended for immediate human consumption, alcoholic beverages, food for animals, and medically prescribed food; requiring the Colorado department of public health and environment to regulate the labeling of genetically modified food; and specifying that no private right of action is created for failure to conform to the labeling requirements?
- YES/FOR
- NO/AGAINST
See the text of the measure, as filed with the Secretary of State, to add 25-5-401.5 to the Colorado Revised Statutes:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2013-2014/48Final.pdf
- chewing gum,
- alcoholic beverages,
- food prepared for immediate consumption or sold by restaurants,
- medically prescribed foods,
- food (e.g., cheese) which is only considered genetically engineered because of a genetically engineered processing aid,
- food derived from an animal such as eggs, meat or honey unless the animal was genetically engineered, and
- food and drink for animals.
The Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment would oversee implementation and enforcement of the labeling requirements. Existing state penalties for food mislabeling would apply to violators. Individuals could not take legal action against anyone in the food supply chain for violations.
American scientists Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen started the field of genetic engineering in 1973. Genetically engineered foods, often called genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been in the food supply since the 1990s. Often crops are genetically modified to increase yields by increasing resistance to pests, diseases, environmental conditions or herbicide treatments. The Food and Drug Administration has the same safety guidelines for genetically engineered food as any other food. Almost all the soybean and corn grown in the US is genetically modified.
Recommendation: leaning toward yes
There are 64 nations which require labeling of genetically modified food, including developed countries such as Japan, China, Russia, Brazil and Australia. The European Union has required labeling of genetically modified food since 1997. The Vermont, Maine and Connecticut legislatures passed labeling laws which are due to take effect at the same time or later than Prop 105. Meanwhile, the Boulder region is seen as a hub of natural foods.
An important issue in GMO labeling is the threshold number. It is difficult to prevent mixing of small amounts of GMO and non-GMO products in the food supply chain. The EU works around this issue by requiring labeling on foods with greater than 0.9% genetically modified content. Prop 105 is more stringent; it has a 0% threshold.
If this were a constitutional amendment, I would recommend voting against it. However, the legislature can tweak the statute to include a small threshold, making it a more viable law.
We require that ingredients be listed on food packages. I see including information about genetically engineered products as just telling a fuller story of the ingredients. California has been a main driver for reducing vehicle emissions because of their stringent laws. Colorado and Washington are creating the path for legalized, recreational marijuana. Maybe Colorado, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut will be the trend setters for the nation when it comes to genetically engineered labeling.
Website for the Yes side (Right to Know Colorado GMO)
http://www.righttoknowcolorado.org/
Website for the No side (No on 105 Coalition)
http://noon105.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Proposition 105 (STATUTORY)
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning labeling of genetically modified food; and, in connection therewith, requiring food that has been genetically modified or treated with genetically modified material to be labeled, "Produced With Genetic Engineering" starting on July 1, 2016; exempting some foods including but not limited to food from animals that are not genetically modified but have been fed or injected with genetically modified food or drugs, certain food that is not packaged for retail sale and is intended for immediate human consumption, alcoholic beverages, food for animals, and medically prescribed food; requiring the Colorado department of public health and environment to regulate the labeling of genetically modified food; and specifying that no private right of action is created for failure to conform to the labeling requirements?
- YES/FOR
- NO/AGAINST
See the text of the measure, as filed with the Secretary of State, to add 25-5-401.5 to the Colorado Revised Statutes:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2013-2014/48Final.pdf
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