In April, a federal court denied a request by powerful
food industry groups to block Vermont’s landmark law
requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods
(GMO).The plaintiffs, including the Grocery Manufacturers
Association, had sought a preliminary injunction
to stop implementation of Act 120, which passed in
May 2014 and will take effect a year from now.
U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss’ ruling
said that the plaintiffs failed to show that they would
suffer “irreparable harm” to warrant an injunction,
and that the state had established that the act’s GMO
disclosure requirement is constitutional.
“This important ruling affirms the constitutionality of genetically engineered
food labeling, as well as the rights of Vermonters and U.S. citizens across the
country,” states George Kimbrell, senior attorney for the Center for Food Safety and
counsel in the case.
The ruling came shortly after an analysis by the Environmental Working
Group found that industry groups spent $63.6 million last year—triple the amount
spent in 2013—to defeat GMO-labeling measures. The general consensus is the
Vermont case is likely to go to trial.
