The issue of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) doesn’t seem to be leaving the United States food industry any time soon. The latest examples include bills in Washington state, court claims against biotechnology companies and national petitions.

The latest example of that persistence is legislation proposed in Washington state that would require genetically engineered foods, or food items that contain genetically engineered foods, to be labeled so consumers can make an informed choice about what they buy.

If approved, for the most part, the labeling requirement as proposed by legislation in Washington state would kick in on July 1, 2014. Fines for not labeling such foods are included in the legislation. (Read the full article at foodsafetynews.com)

GMOs are created by manipulating an organism’s genetic material in a laboratory. These manipulations do not occur naturally in the wild. Usually, GMOs are produced to boost production, improve durability, improve nutritional quality, and to create immunity to certain herbicides. Nearly 80 percent of processed foods contain GMOs in the U.S.

Washington farmers have been so outraged by biotechnology company Monsanto’s announcement to explore genetically modified wheat.

In an unusual pairing, a handful of Washington wheat farmers have joined so-called “foodies” to back the latest bill, fearing exports will be hurt if and when genetically modified wheat gains federal approval. The U.S. exports half of its wheat, and in Washington, the only bigger export is Boeing Co.’s airplanes.

Biotechnology giants Monsanto and Syngenta have announced plans to begin testing genetically modified wheat, though the product is likely a decade or more from being offered commercially.

“If we do nothing, we will be destroyed,” said Tom Stahl, a fourth-generation farmer in the small town of Waterville, Wash., about 100 miles east of Seattle. “We will lose our markets and that will be devastating for the eastern Washington economy.” (Read the full article at washingtonpost.com.)