Failed Oregon Ballot Measure on GM Food Labeling Heads for Recount
An Oregon ballot initiative that would require labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods is headed for a recount after narrowly failing to pass on Election Day, according to press reports from Reuters (here). State Ballot Measure 92 failed by about…
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800 votes on Nov. 4 (here). But under Oregon law, any vote that is decided by 0.2% or less must be recounted, said a spokesman for Oregon’s Secretary of State. The recount will take place Dec. 2-12. If the result of the ballot measure changes, Oregon would require labeling of all GM foods sold in the state as “Genetically Engineered” beginning on Jan. 1, 2016, says a text of the measure included in Oregon’s 2014 voter guide (here). Oregon would join Vermont as the second state to require GM labeling. Vermont passed a law in April 2014 that requires labeling of GM foods by July 1, 2016 (see 14042523). Connecticut and Maine have similar laws on the books, but they only take effect if enough states require GM labeling. A bill to require GM labeling in California failed to pass in May (see 14053026).