House speaker reacts to Campbell’s support of GMO labeling

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont House Speaker Shap Smith says the Campbell Soup Company’s support of mandatory national labeling for products containing genetically modified ingredients is a sign that Vermont is leading the way with its GMO labeling law.

Smith said Tuesday that Vermont’s passage of the nation’s first GMO labeling law sent a clear message to consumers and food manufacturers that Vermonters have the right to know what’s in their food.

About three-quarters of Campbell’s products contain GMOs. The company has opposed a patchwork of state-by-state legislation that it believes would confuse customers.

Vermont passed legislation requiring labeling of genetically modified ingredients on certain products by July. But a public health lawyer says industry groups want to pre-empt such efforts with federal legislation that would make disclosures voluntary.