The mandated label, “may be partially produced with genetic engineering” is so utterly ambiguous, that it provides absolutely no assurance to the consumer, and does not present a reasonable basis for choice. This is the phrase that would appear on the vast majority of the products in the typical grocery store.

The law would declare that the only way to demonstrate that a food product does not require a label is by having a sworn statement, USDA Organic certification, or a GMO-Free test certification. Since the only place a violation of the labeling law can occur is when the food is “offered for retail sale”, enforcement cannot occur anywhere but at the retail level. This means the typical store would need to either remove a substantial amount of food from their shelves, or attempt to pressure out of state suppliers to label the food, or supply a sworn affidavit declaring the food is GE-free. Failure to do so could result in a substantial fine.

Imagine a store like the Husky Deli. They stock processed foods from all over the world. Practically none of it is USDA organic or certified GMO-free. If a foreign country has a GMO label law, that does not relieve them of the obligation of having to supply affidavits. There is certainly no exemption in I-522 saying anything about foreign packaged foods. There is no way to get an affidavit from every international supplier, and that puts the store at risk. If not for a violation directly, they may be at risk of being told they can no longer sell certain products – or even MOST of their products.

Plus, even if the food WAS labeled for GMOs per their local laws, the labels would not necessarily be compliant with I-522. It says the label must ABSOLUTELY be on the front of the package, with VERY specific wording. NO internationally labeled products would conform to I-522’s rule. There are no other options for labeling of packaged food other than the two phrases specified.

Regardless of whether you believe GMOs are bad for you, I-522′s approach to labeling is ridiculous.