New York is edging closer to passage of a state-wide GMO labeling law which would mandate “the labeling of food or food products that contain a genetically modified material or that are produced with a genetically modified material.” The bill A 3525 and its companion bill, S 3835 were first presented in July 2013 and then again January 2014 but has not yet been approved. The bill is up for review and another vote in 2015.

In 2014, Vermont became the first state in its country to pass such a law. Such initiatives have been started in 37 states, but are facing staunch opposition from many powerful giants hailing from the food industry. These companies would rather you not know their products contain GMOs because, in their own words, “the public would not want to buy it.” So, rather than switching to wholesome, organic non-GMO ingredients to deliver the healthier products that the public demands, they insist on secrecy. Thankfully, Vermont anticipated this backlash and started a legal defense fund before the passage of their GMO labeling law.

GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are scientifically engineered to display unnaturally selective genes or to downplay undesirable traits. In most cases, GMOs are designed to produce insecticides or to be resistant to pesticides such as Round Up Ready seeds. The majority of consumers are worried about the health effects of GMOs, and rightly so, because many studies have shown reason for concern.

Despite the fact that over 60 countries worldwide now have GMO labeling laws in place, America has yet to get with the program. Although the mainstream media along with their food industry advertisers would have you believe otherwise, Consumer Reports Polling shows that 92% of Americans want mandatory GMO labeling.

If you are a NY resident that wishes to see GMOs labeled, you can sign the petition here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/make-gmo-food-labeling In the case of Vermont, only 3% of the population was required to sign a petition for the state to pass the law.

 
Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/12/vermont-gmo-idUSL2N0OT20620140612
Additional Resources:

http://righttoknow-gmo.org/states/new_york
http://www.gmofreeny.net

https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeNYnet
https://twitter.com/GMOFreeNYnet