Despite the recent passage of a genetically engineered (GE) food-labelling law in Vermont, and similar bills appearing in legislatures in other states, proponents of labelling have again failed to pass such a law in California. The latest GE food-labelling initiative, SB 1381 (Evans), recently failed on the Senate floor. The defeat follows on the heels of the failure of Proposition 37 in 2012.

SB 1381 was advertised as a cleaner and simpler version of Proposition 37 (for further details please see "Genetically engineered food labelling bill moves through legislature"). However, the proposed language would have created a compliance framework that would be anything but simple for the food industry. Changes made to the bill in committee exacerbated the problems, making private-enforcer litigation easier and defences for food manufacturers more difficult.

Originally published in International Law Office on June 19, 2014.