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State GMO Labeling Legislation (Former Initiatives)
The following materials represent various statutes and regulations that have been enacted or promulgated by state governments. While the Center makes every effort to update and provide current resources, be aware that statutory and regulatory language is subject to change. As a result, the Center offers no warranty or other guarantee regarding the timeliness or accuracy of the information presented.
Connecticut
On June 25, 2013, former Governor Dan Malloy signed into law an Act Concerning Genetically-Engineered Food, Public Act No. 13-183, requiring food labeling disclosure for food intended for human consumption and seed or seed stock that is intended to produce food for human consumption.
This legislation would have become effective when at least four states, including one bordering Connecticut, enact mandatory labeling laws for genetically-engineered foods and when the aggregate population of Northeastern U.S. states that have mandatory labeling laws exceeds 20 million people.
Maine
On January 12, 2014, the 126th Maine Legislature passed An Act to Protect Maine Food Consumers’ Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food, that would have imposed a label disclosure with the indication “Produced with Genetic Engineering” for food offered for retail sale that meets the definition of genetically engineered.
This legislation would have become effective “when legislation requiring mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food has been adopted by at least 5 contiguous states including Maine.”
On May 29, 2015, former Governor Paul LePage signed into law an Act To Include Nonalcoholic Malt Beverages in the List of Exempt Products in the Law Regarding the Labeling of Genetically Engineered Products.
- Nonalcoholic malt beverages are exempted from the disclosure requirements under the state GMO labeling legislation as well as restaurants, alcoholic beverages, medical foods, non-GE animals fed GE food, food produced without knowledge of GE status and GE ingredients less than 0.9% of total weight.
Vermont
On May 8, 2014, former Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law Vermont Act 120 that would have required labeling disclosure for all food offered for sale in Vermont that is “entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering.”
On July 1, 2016, the Office of the Vermont Attorney General adopted Consumer Protection Rule 121 relating to the labeling of foods produced with genetic engineering in order to implement and comply with the provisions of Act 120.
The Consumer Protection Rule 121 became effective on July 1, 2016; however, on August 2, 2016, Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced that he will no longer enforce Act 120 following the enactment of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law.
