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 ALBANY – A big-money food fight is taking place at the state Capitol over legislation to require the labeling of genetically engineered products.

Trade organizations, farm groups and corporate giants such as Coca-Cola and Kraft have spent millions of dollars on lobbyists and campaign contributions to defeat the bill, which could affect at least 50% of the food sold in grocery stores.

“They are working this very hard and they are not going to let up because of the threat,” said Laura Haight of the New York Public Interest Research Group, which supports the food-labeling bill.

A genetically modified organism, or GMO, has had genetic material altered by scientists to produce a desirable trait. Examples include tomatoes altered to stay fresher longer, and strawberries altered so they can be frozen. Many of the oils and grains used in processed foods have GMOs.

A NYPIRG study found that opponents of the legislation spent nearly $3.7 million on lobbying and campaign contributions in 2013 – outspending supporters 7 to 1.

And the money has continued to flow in 2014, according to lobbying reports filed with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

Among the biggest spenders: Coca-Cola, which paid Albany lobbyists $66,668 in the first four months of the year.

Other big spenders included the Farm Bureau ($54,000), Kraft Foods and Monsanto (about $24,000 each) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association ($13,000).

The figures represent total lobbying expenses, but a significant amount of the spending is believed to involve opposing the labeling bill.

Critics of mandatory labeling argue there’s no reliable evidence that GMOs are harmful.