Washington State Initiative 522: Labeling of Foods Containing Genetically Modified Ingredients

In March of 2013, a letter was sent to Dr. Robert Bates, Executive Director of the WSAS, by the leadership of state legislative committees dealing with health and agriculture, water, and natural resources, requesting that a white paper be drafted analyzing some of the issues behind Initiative 522, the Initiative that would require labeling all foods that include ingredients from genetically modified plants or animals (GM). This Initiative will be on the ballot in November 2013. Further, the legislators requested that this paper provide the background information that would assist the legislature in understanding the implications should I-522 pass. They asked a number of questions relating to the Initiative. These questions frame the text of this report.