Legislators weigh in By TOM CALLIS Tribune-Herald staff writer tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald Updated: 12:05 am - June 12, 2013 During the last session of the state Legislature, critics of genetically engineered food made a push to set labeling requirements for grocery shelves. Over a half dozen bills to label transgenic food, mostly focusing on imported items, were introduced. None of the bills made it through, partly because of concerns that they may be found unconstitutional. “I think it will be a never-ending journey,” said Rep. Clift Tsuji, D-Hilo. Carol Okada, plant quarantine branch manager for the state Department of Agriculture, said the state does have regulations and oversight for transgenic crops. State Rep. Richard Onishi, House agriculture committee vice chairman, said labeling requirements could be difficult for the state to enforce. The place for such regulation might be at the federal level, he said. “Obviously, that will have a greater effect in terms of manufactured products,” said Onishi, D-Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano. Onishi said the state should also fund a public service announcement informing consumers which food products contain transgenic ingredients. full story here: westhawaiitoday/sections/news/local-news/legislators-weigh.html
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:42:43 +0000