美国经历转基因标示风暴

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US storm over GM labelling

GREGOR HEARD

29 Jul, 2014 02:00 AM

All European countries and over 40 others require GM labels and so should the United States.

A STORM has erupted in the small north-eastern US state of Vermont over a new law that will require food for human consumption to be labelled if it contains genetically modified (GM) material.

The US Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has filed a complaint in the US Federal District Court to overturn the law.

The GMA claims the law is excessively costly, and that by doing the work on a state level, sets the precedent for multiple laws across different states, making it difficult for national grocery businesses.

Within its submission to the court, the GMA said Vermont was acting out of its authority within the US constitution.

However, Vermont’s decision has won plaudits from Australian anti-GM campaigners.

"We applaud Vermont's law to require the labelling of foods made using GM techniques and encourage other US states to follow suit,” said Bob Phelps, Gene Ethics director.

“All European countries and over 40 others require GM labels and so should the United States."

He said labelling information was an aside to debate over the safety of GM food, but allowed shoppers to make informed decisions

Mr Phelps said labelling compliance would not be expensive for the food manufacturing sector.