The "California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act" would require labels identifying genetically engineered foods starting in 2014. Foods containing some G.E. ingredients would also be labeled.
The initiative's Co-Chair Grant Lundberg says this technology isn't fully understood-and consumers should know when it's present. "It's about choice and concerns of consumers." But the California Farm Bureau Federation's Cynthia Cory says consumers can already buy certified organic products if they are concerned. She says genetic engineering is safe and the proposed initiative is unhelpful. "It's misleading and confusing and so it scares people."
Supporters will need to submit more than a half-million signatures next month to be eligible for the November ballot.