A Vermont senate committee has unanimously approved a genetically modified food labeling bill.
The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed the bill and passed it with a bipartisan 5-0 vote Thursday.
The Burlington Free Press reports that the committee set July 1, 2016, for the labeling requirement to kick-in.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest says that approximately 70 percent of processed foods contain at least one ingredient made or derived from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Genetic modifications range from quality improvement to pest resistance. Critics believe GMOs have not been adequately studied. Advocates for GMOs say they are no different from regular crops.
Next stop for the bill is Senate Appropriations before going to the full Senate.
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