The state Attorney General’s Office has released its proposed rules to enforce Vermont’s first-in-the-nation law requiring the labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. The rules, announced Wednesday, will be the subject of three open meetings later this month.
Certain food products with genetically modified ingredients not exempt under the law must have a “clear and conspicuous” label stating “Produced with Genetic Engineering,” according to the proposed rules.
Some food products can have labels to indicate the possibility and amount of genetically engineered ingredients. The rules also state that any food product with genetically engineered ingredients cannot be labeled as “natural” or anything that implies the product is natural.
Manufacturers that violate the law could pay a civil penalty up to $1,000 per day, per product, according to the proposed rules.
The law is scheduled to take effect in 2016, but food industry groups have sued the state, claiming the law is unconstitutional. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and residents are contributing to a legal fund to help defend the law in federal court.
The Attorney General’s Office will hold three public meetings to gather feedback. The times and locations of the public meetings are as follows:
Tuesday, October 21
12:00–2:00 PM
Contois Auditorium, City Hall
149 Church Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Wednesday, October 22
5:00–7:00 PM
Room 11, Vermont State House
115 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633
Friday, October 24
3:30–5:30 PM
Room 2E, Marlboro College Graduate Campus
28 Vernon Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
