The California Senate rejected on Wednesday a bill that would require labels on genetically-engineered foods. This is the second time in two years that labeling legislation has fallen short in the most populous and agriculturally-productive state.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 1381 fell short of passage by just two votes in the 40-member chamber. The bill\u2019s sponsor, Democratic Sen. Noreen Evans, said she would attempt to convince Senate leaders to bring a reconsideration vote on Thursday,\u00a0according<\/a>\u00a0to the Sacramento Bee, before the legislative session ends on Friday.<\/p>\n The measure would demand all distributors who sell food in the state to label their products if any of the ingredients were made with genetically-modified organisms (GMOs<\/a>). The bill excludes alcohol and food sold at farmers markets.<\/p>\n “This bill is a straightforward, common-sense approach to empowering consumers,”<\/em>\u00a0said Evans.\u00a0“If the product contains GMOs, label it. We shouldn’t be hiding ingredients.”<\/em><\/p>\n The labeling bill was supported by organic food producers and environmental organizations. It is opposed by powerful agribusiness and biotechnology companies, such as multinational corporations\u00a0Monsanto<\/a>\u00a0and Dow, as well as major grocers, retailers, chambers of commerce, and non-organic food growers.<\/p>\n