A bill has been introduced in the Vermont state legislature that would require that food be labeled as genetically engineered if it is entirely or partially produced with genetically engineering. If passed, the bill would take effect in 2014.
The bill would also forbid any such food from using advertising or promotional material that states or implies that the food is “natural,” “naturally made,” “naturally grown,” “all natural,” or any words of similar import.
According to the language of the bill, it would require:
“... in the case of a raw agricultural commodity, on the package offered for retail sale ... the clear and conspicuous words, ‘genetically engineered’ on the front of the package ... [or] on a label appearing on the retail store shelf or bin in which such commodity is displayed for sale ... in the case of any processed food, in clear and conspicuous language on the front or back of the package ... the words, ‘partially produced with genetic engineering’ or ‘may be partially produced with genetic engineering’”.