Washington State Voters Rightly Reject Efforts to Confuse Consumers and Drive up Food Costs

America’s Food Producers Should Work Together to Create Policies Based on Sound Science, Not Fear and Confusion

Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2013) – Initiative 522, the complicated and costly food labeling proposal, has been rejected by voters across Washington. 

Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response:

“Just like 27 million voters in California and Oregon, Washington voters saw how this burdensome and deceptive labeling scheme would have created more state bureaucracy, imposed new costs and burdens on local farmers and businesses, and increased food prices for Washington families. 

“Food labels should convey valuable and accurate information to consumers.  Mandatory initiatives to label all foods containing genetically modified ingredients would only serve to confuse consumers and raise food prices without any additional benefits. 

“We will continue to explore solutions that provide consumers with valuable information about the foods we eat.  One example is the GMO Answers website, where consumers’ questions about GMOs and how our food is grown are asked and answered in a timely manner.  Other informational resources include statements from credible scientific groups such as the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, among others.”