Senate Bill Targets Genetically Engineered Food
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) -- A South Florida Democrat has filed a bill that would impose labeling requirements to make sure consumers know they are buying genetically engineered foods.
Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, filed the measure (SB 558) on Friday.
By Jan. 1, 2016, the bill would require the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to annually publish a list of commercially grown agricultural commodities that are genetically engineered. By that date, it also would require manufacturers, processors, packers or distributors to make clear on labels that their products include genetically engineered food or ingredients.
The bill says, in part, that the "vast majority of the public desires notice" before eating genetically engineered food."(Labeling) of genetically engineered foods can provide a critical method for tracking the potentially dangerous health effects of consuming genetically engineered foods,'' the bill says.
A similar proposal (HB 1) has been filed in the House by Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee.
"The News Service of Florida contributed to this report."
