Judge Says Vermont Law on Genetically Modified Food Stands

[cali]

A Vermont law that could make the state the first in the country to require labeling of genetically modified food has been allowed by a federal judge to stand for now despite opposition by food industry groups.

U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington on Monday ruled against the Grocery Manufacturers' Association and other industry groups in their request for a preliminary order to block the law from going into effect as scheduled on July 1, 2016.

The judge partially granted and partially denied the state's motion to dismiss the industry lawsuit, meaning the case is likely to go to trial.



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The judge found that the concerns embedded in Vermont's law were well within the state's purview.

"The safety of food products, the protection of the environment, and the accommodation of religious beliefs and practices are all quintessential governmental interests, as is the State's desire 'to promote informed consumer decision-making,'" she wrote, quoting from the state's court filings.

The court dismissed the industry groups' request that it apply a legal standard of strict scrutiny to the free-speech issues in the case, making it easier at trial for the state to rebut the companies' First Amendment claims. It also dismissed the plaintiffs' request that the law be found to violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

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http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/food-industry-block-vermonts-gmo-labeling-law-30617800

[flamingdem]

1. Good news!

[Rex]

2. But but if we label GMO food products it will make labels meaningless.

No seriously...the real reason we should not label GMO foods (as told to me by EXPERTS here on DU) is because people are STUPID and cannot handle such information in the public realm.

YEP. The two biggest scientific reasons we should NOT label GMO foods!

Heard here first on the DUs! Where skeptical minds bend like reeds in the wind.

[cali]

4. I really despise the Grocery Manufacturers of America

They've run despicable ads. They've trying to spin this and of course it's not over, but this was good news.

[grntuscarora]

3. I love Vermont.

Last sane state in the Union.

[cali]

5. kick