Wolfe-DeCroce Bill Labeling Foods With Genetically Engineered Material Wins Committee Approval

Assembly Republican Press Release -

Provides consumers with more information on product ingredients

Legislation Assemblyman Dave Wolfe and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce sponsor that lets consumers know if a product has been genetically engineered today won approval from the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

“Just as consumers are interested in a product’s nutritional value, they are entitled to know if a food source has been genetically engineered,” said Wolfe, R-Ocean. “Many countries require this labeling and some states are already in the process of enacting similar legislation.”

The bill, A-1359, defines a food product as being genetically engineered if its contents include more than one percent of materials that are produced or enhanced by acid technology, genetic engineering or bioengineering. Genetically engineered foods are derived from organisms whose genetic material has been changed in a way that does not occur naturally.

“Disclosing that products contain genetically engineered material help shoppers make an informed purchase,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic and Essex. “Customers today are savvy about the products they buy. It’s in the consumers’ best interest if they are aware of whether this growing technique was used in an item they might purchase.”