Based on preliminary results from Tuesday’s election, it appears that Washington State’s hotly debated Initiative 522 (I-522) concerning the labeling of genetically-engineered foods has gone the way of California’s Proposition 37. Washington officials reported on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 that voters had rejected the measure, 54% to 46%. California’s similar labeling measure, Proposition 37, was rejected by California voters in November 2012.
County by county results show that certain counties in Washington including, King, Whatcom, and Jefferson, were largely in favor of passing I-522. However, the measure lost heavily in the southwest, central and eastern regions of the state.
If it had passed, I-522 would have required that any food offered for retail sale in Washington that was or may have been entirely or partly produced with genetic engineering to be labeled as follows:
- In the case of a raw agricultural commodity, the package offered for retail sale must clearly and conspicuously display the words “genetically engineered” on the front of the package, or where such a commodity is not separately packaged or labeled, the label appearing on the retail store shelf or bin where such a commodity is displayed for sale must display the words “genetically engineered;”
- In the case of any processed food, the front of the package of such food must clearly and conspicuously bear the words “partially produced with genetic engineering” or “may be partially produced with genetic engineering;” and
- In the case of any seed or seed stock, the seed or seed stock container, sales receipt or any other reference to identification, ownership, or possession, must state clearly and conspicuously that the seed is “genetically engineered” or “produced with genetic engineering.”
In addition to the labeling requirements, I-522 would have also created a new private right of action for consumers to sue food companies alleging that they are not meeting the labeling standards set forth in the measure. Throughout the I-522 campaign, opponents argued that these so-called “bounty-hunter” lawsuits would impose significant defense costs and force settlements on food processors that may have inadvertently violated the measure’s requirements.
Despite I-522’s failure, the issue of GMO labeling appears to be here to stay. Earlier this year, Connecticut became the first state to enact legislation requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods. According to Connecticut’s law, however, the labeling requirement will not take effect until four other states, including one state sharing a border with Connecticut, enact similar legislation. In addition, the requirements of the law will not take effect until a combination of Northeastern states with a cumulative population of over 20 million residents enacts similar legislation. Maine enacted similar legislation this summer, but the law also requires other states to enact GMO food labeling laws before the mandate takes effect.
Several other states currently have pending GMO labeling legislation that will be addressed during the next legislative session for those respective states. Stoel Rives attorneys will continue to track these state GMO labeling measure as developments occur. Check back here for updates.