GM Food Labeling Rejected in Washington State

Washington voters rejected Initiative 522 (I-522), an initiative that would have required foods containing genetically engineered (GE) ingredients to be labeled. The vote was 54.8% opposed to labeling and 45.2% in favor of it. I-522 was brought to the Washington state ballot this year by anti-GMO (genetically modified organisms) activists to ban foods derived from GE crops. The initiative was opposed by a broad coalition of family farmers, scientists, doctors, consumers, and businesses from across the state.

"This is a clear victory for Washington consumers, taxpayers and family farmers across our state," said Dana Bieber, spokesperson for "No" on 522. The food industry claims that the initiative would have provided consumers with inaccurate and misleading information about the foods they buy, while increasing grocery costs to working families by hundreds of dollars per year.

More information about I-522 is available at http://www.factsabout522.com/.