as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/27/2012 08:26am
A bill for an act
relating to food safety; requiring labeling of genetically engineered food;
providing criminal penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 31.01,
by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 31.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 31.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
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"Genetically engineered organism"
has the meaning given in section 18F.02, subdivision 5.
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No person shall sell, distribute, or offer for sale a
food if it contains a genetically engineered organism, or was produced with a genetically
engineered organism, unless it bears a label that provides the following disclosure
notice in boldface print of not less than ten-point type: "THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS
A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISM, OR WAS PRODUCED WITH A
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISM."
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A food shall be considered to have been produced with a
genetically engineered organism if:
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(1) the organism from which the food is derived has been injected or has otherwise
been treated with a genetically engineered organism;
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(2) the animal from which the food is derived has been fed a genetically engineered
organism; or
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(3) the food contains an ingredient that is a food to which clause (1) or (2) applies.
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This section shall not apply to food served in restaurants or
other establishments where food is served for immediate human consumption.
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The commissioner shall establish methodologies
necessary for the purposes of this section, including the testing of food to determine the
presence of a genetically engineered organism.
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A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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This section is effective for food sold, offered for sale, or
distributed after January 1, 2013.
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