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    The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture recently passed out of committee H. 813, a GMO labeling bill. If signed into law, the bill would ensure that all foods sold in Massachusetts that contain genetically modified or engineered ingredients would be clearly labeled. State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, is a key supporter of the initiative, proponents noted.

Massachusetts joins a growing number of northeast states working to label foods containing GMOs. Maine and Connecticut have already passed legislation. New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont are actively pursuing legislation.

“There is incredible momentum in the northeast to label genetically engineered foods,” said Martin Dagoberto, campaign coordinator at MA Right to Know GMOs (marighttoknow.org). “Representative Ehrlich’s leadership is instrumental to the bill’s success. This is a significant step forward in the fight for a transparent food supply.”

According to a poll conducted by The New York Times, 93 percent of Americans support labeling foods containing genetically modified or engineered ingredients.

“The bottom line is that consumers overwhelmingly want to know what is in the food they eat,” said Deirdre Cummings, consumer program director for MASSPIRG. “GMO labeling is a simple common sense way to allow consumers to make informed choices.”

Jack Kittredge, policy director at Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, added, “Farmers and consumers alike believe we have a right to know what is in our food. I hope the Legislature will continue to keep moving this along until we join Connecticut and Maine with a strong labeling law to be signed by the governor.”