Mandatory GE Notifications Proposed
Sen. Mike Gabbard (D-Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Portions of Waipahu and Ko `Olina) introduced two bills this session that would better-inform Hawai`i’s produce consumers.
Senate Bill 3232 prohibits the sale or distribution of any genetically-engineered whole food intended for human consumption that does not have a label conspicuously affixed identifying it as genetically-engineered. The bill contains definitions for “genetically-engineered crop,” “modern biotechnology” and “genetically-engineered whole food.”
Companion bill no. 3233 requires the Department of Agriculture to notify the public of the location of field tests and the production of genetically-engineered plants.
Nina Wu of Honolulu Star-Bulletin recently wrote about the bills.
“These bills are about consumer choice. … People have a right to know what food they put in their bodies and what is happening on our lands and they should be informed,” Gabbard told Star-Bulletin.