Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell officially filed new rules governing labeling of genetically engineered food with the state's Secretary of State on Friday.
The Consumer Protection Rule CP 121 was adopted by Sorrell's office after many months of comments from retailers, consumers and food producers. Additionally, the state Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules approved the rules.
The actual law passed by state lawmakers goes into effect on July 1, 2016.
“This is a process that began with the legislature’s careful crafting of Act 120,” Sorrell said. “We are pleased at the amount of public input we received during the rulemaking process – from industry and consumers – and are glad that, with the formal adoption of this rule, we are giving ample time for food manufacturers and retailers to prepare for the law to take effect in just over 14 months.”
The rule filed by Sorrell tells retailers how the Produced with Genetic Engineering labels should appear on processed food, gives exemptions from the requirements under the law and adds in provisions for enforcing any violations of the law.