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State Representative Richard Roy (D-Milford) hosted a news conference and legislative forum supporting labels on products in Connecticut that contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The clear labels would allow residents the ability to choose whether or not to purchase GMO items.

“I feel the federal government has turned its back on consumers and is more interested in helping the agriculture industry hide what is actually going into our food.” said Rep. Roy, House Chair of the Environment Committee. “In some cases, pesticides are inserted into seeds, genetically modifying the food we eat. You can’t wash out these pesticides, they’re there forever.”

The Environment Committee recently raised HB 5117, An Act Requiring the Labeling of Genetically-Engineered Foods. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection and Commissioner of Consumer Protection would be responsible for label content and form.

GMOs are products that have been genetically modified at the cellular level to increase yields and resist disease. DNA molecules from different sources are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified genes.

Long term effects of GMOs on consumers have not been determined. GMOs are banned in five countries in the European Union, most recently Germany.

“Consumers have a right to know what is in their food,” said State Representative Phil Miller, Vice-chair of the Environment Committee. “When a parent buys fruit, they assume that they are bringing a natural snack home for their children, but that isn’t always the case these days. When we buy packaged foods, we can read the label and make an informed decision if we want to buy that product-so why shouldn’t parents know if fruit contains genetically modified ingredients?”