New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal’s (D/WF-Manhattan) legislation, A.617, which would require labeling of certain food products that are genetically engineered (GE), was successfully reported out of the Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection today. Despite significant lobbying by corporate special interests, New York State took a courageous and important step towards mandatory labeling with this vote today.

"I am pleased that my GMO bill was successfully reported out of the Committee on Consumer Affairs," said Assemblymember Rosenthal. "The vast majority of New Yorkers want to know what is in the food that they feed to their families, and today New York State is one step closer to making mandatory GMO labeling a reality. I look forward to continuing to work with the advocates and my colleagues in the Assembly to bring this bill to the floor for a vote."

Across the country, people are clamoring for GMO labeling. According to a recent poll, approximately 93% of all Americans support GMO labeling. The United States Food and Drug Administration has opted to stand on the sidelines of the GMO debate, leaving the states to act in response to the demands of their residents in the absence of federal regulation.

Currently, 22 states and numerous counties across the country are pursuing GMO labeling laws, either via ballot initiative or legislative action. Internationally, 26 countries including Italy, France, China and Saudi Arabia, have either total or partial GMO bans or GMO labeling in place. Significant restrictions on GMOs exist in about 60 other countries as well.

In preparation for this committee vote on the bill, Assemblymember Rosenthal has worked closely with Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection. The bill now heads to the Assembly Codes Committee, before it may proceed to the floor for a vote.

Bill A.617 will require that certain food products containing GMOs be prominently labeled, providing consumers with important purchasing information.