Industry group slams GMO enforcement

MONTPELIER, VT (AP)

With three months to go before Vermont's genetically modified food labeling law takes effect, a major industry group is already complaining about how it expects the law to be enforced.

The Grocery Manufacturers' Association took aim at a memo from Attorney General William Sorrell saying his office would focus on willful violations.

Sorrell says food items distributed to stores before July 1 will not draw enforcement actions if they don't have labels. And he says his office is likely to use its discretion not to pursue cases like that even after Jan. 1.

Brian Kennedy of the Grocery Manufacturers' Association commented that Sorrell isn't being clear about what will count as a willful violation. He also worries about private citizen suits against food companies.