Legislation won’t keep its promises

Proponents of Initiative 522 consistently say that voters deserve the “right to know.” They’re absolutely right. We do deserve the right to know the truth. And the truth is I-522 would not deliver on its promise to inform Washington citizens about foods that have been genetically engineered.

Under I-522’s illogical labeling system, two-thirds of the foods we regularly buy would be exempt from labeling requirements, even when they contain or were produced with GE ingredients.

For example, soy milk and tofu would have to be labeled if they had GE content, but milk and beef from cows fed GE grain would be exempt. A carton of ice cream bought at the store would have to be labeled if it had a GE ingredient, but an ice cream cone bought from a snack bar at a baseball game would be exempt. I don’t see how such an inconsistent system would be helpful to consumers.

Another fact voters deserve to know is that I-522 would increase food costs.

Farmers and food producers would either have to repackage and re-label their products, or they’d have to install and maintain costly new record-keeping and segregation systems. These requirements would hike production costs, and those costs would then be passed along to consumers by way of higher food prices. That means higher grocery bills.

I-522 is simply bad policy. I encourage you to learn more by going to FactsAbout522.com, and please join me in voting no on I-522 this November.

Jeannette Sumpter

Bothell