Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/705615
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 1 6 I n an eff ort to head off what was seen as a patch- work quilt of state labeling laws for foods that con- tain genetically modifi ed organisms, the U.S. Senate on July 7 voted 63–30 for a bill that would require GMO contents in foods to be displayed using words, a website or phone number, or a Quick Response bar code that can be read by a smart phone. e U.S. House of Representatives concurred with the Senate, voting 306-117 in favor of the bill on July 14. A year ago, the House passed a bill that would make GMO labeling voluntary, but since the Senate bill diff ers, it required another vote. e bill will now go to President Obama. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King voted for the bill, while U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont did not. In what ultimately could cause a food fi ght with states, the Senate bill would preempt state GMO labeling laws. Vermont's GMO labeling law went into eff ect July 1. Maine signed GMO labeling into law in early January 2014, but it will only go into eff ect if four contiguous states enact similar laws, which hasn't happened yet. "It is not the business of Congress to over- step what the states have done," Sanders said in a Fortune magazine article. Vermont's labeling law simply reads "partially produced with genetic engi- neering" on applicable product packages. Most corn, soybean and sugar crops grown in the the United States are from genetically engineered seeds, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture. e Senate bill may not consider such items bioengi- neered foods when used as food ingredients like beet sugar and soybean oil or GMO corn, critics say. e Senate bill says food that requires labeling must contain genetic material modifi ed through in vitro (outside the body) recombinant DNA tech- niques, meaning they would be modifi ed in a way that can't be replicated through typical breeding methods. e U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that language will exempt foods containing oils and sugars which, when processed, no longer contain a genetic trace of the GMO crops from which they came. Why label? Reasons for labeling vary, but the consensus is that people simply want to know what is in their food. It will cost money to change labeling, some manufacturers argue, plus there are some surveys that indicate a GMO label may cause consumers to avoid buying a product. A June 13-21 online survey of 1,665 primary shop- pers by MSR Group and sponsored by the American Soybean Association and other U.S. food and agri- culture trade associations found that when consumers were asked about the Vermont GMO wording, 73% said they were less likely to buy foods with on-pack GMO disclosures. Some 36% perceived the food as less safe, 28% less healthful, 22% less nutritious and 20% worse for the environment. Grocery Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pamela Bailey, in supporting the Senate's bill, said in a statement, "consumers and small businesses in the state [Vermont] are already facing fewer products on the shelves and higher costs of compliance on small businesses." But organic pioneer Rodale Institute wrote in a letter to all members of the U.S. Senate in late June that, " e bill was ostensibly about labeling, but it has become a vehicle for a broader attack on organic agriculture." e fi ght over GMO labeling has been conten- tious and costly. For example, food and biotechnol- ogy companies spent about $101 million to oppose it in 2015, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that cited Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz Co., Kellogg's, Land O'Lakes and General Mills as spending a combined $20.6 million to lobby against GMO labeling. P O L I T I C S & C O. B Y L O R I V A L I G R A It's states vs. feds as Congress rules on GMO labeling It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of It is not the business of Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what Congress to overstep what the states have done. — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont Building a business? TALK TO A NEIGHBOR. Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — Our experienced lenders are more than bankers — they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial they're problem solvers that will design a commercial real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. real estate or construction loan that's right for you. We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with We're proud to support local Maine businesses with products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. products and services to help your business grow. Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so Custom lending solutions are here for you — and so are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. are we. Let's talk. MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 1-800-447-4559 bathsavings.com Bath Bath • Boothbay Harbor • Brunswick • Damariscotta • Falmouth Freeport • Portland • South Portland • Yarmouth