TACOMA, Wash. – The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to oppose State Initiative 522 which concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods.
The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee’s (GAC) recommendation to oppose the initiative cited several compelling reasons:
- Misleading labeling that only includes selected foods.
- Costly labeling for Washington State only, impacting 70-80% of our foods – no other state has these requirements in place.
- Implies that genetically modified food is unsafe or unhealthy, all of which have been deemed safe by the FDA.
- Foods with certified organic labels cannot include genetically modified organisms, already allowing consumers to choose this option.
- Will raise prices for consumers (at an average of $490 a year) and cost farm jobs.
Jim Smith says
A little late don’t you think!