Abstract
Excerpt: Political action to bring about the mandatory labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods in the US escalated sharply in recent years, starting with several state ballot initiatives in the western part of the country. Despite overwhelming leads in early polls, statewide ballot initiatives in California in 2012, Washington in 2013, and Oregon in 2014 ultimately failed by narrow margins. Mandatory labeling advocates had some success, however, in persuading state legislatures. 1 In 2013, Connecticut and Maine passed mandatory labeling laws with contingency clauses (the laws would not go into effect until other neighboring states enacted similar labeling laws). Vermont became the first state to pass an unconditional mandatory labeling law in May 2014.