Last updated on September 8th, 2015 at 09:06 am
Ben & Jerry’s has joined other Vermont businesses and consumer groups in defending Vermont’s new labeling requirements for genetically engineered (GE) foods—one of the first such labeling laws in the country—despite a a federal court challenge brought by the food industry.
The groups have submitted a legal brief supporting the disclosure of GE ingredients so people have more information about the health, safety and environmental impacts of the foods they consume.
“We’re joining this fight because we believe strongly that consumers have a right to know what’s in the food they eat,” said Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. “I’ve been in the food industry for more than 35 years, and I can tell you that slight label changes do not raise food costs. We work hard to source the best possible ingredients, so it’s hard for me to understand why any company wouldn’t be proud to tell you about the ingredients they use.”
Food manufacturers have until July 1, 2016, the day when Act 120 takes effect, to implement the labeling changes. Then the manufacturers have a grace period—until Jan. 1, 2017—before the Vermont Attorney General begins enforcing the act.
