Associated Press

MONTPELIER – The Vermont Attorney General's office has released a draft of the rules it is writing to govern the state's first-in-the-nation law to require the labeling of food made with genetically modified organisms.

The nine pages of rules released Wednesday lay out everything from definitions of "food" and "genetic engineering" to the required disclosures on packaging that will read "Produced with Genetic Engineering."

The draft was issued ahead of three public hearings scheduled for next week to gather opinions on the rules.

In May, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the GMO labeling law. Proponents say it's needed so consumers will know what's in the food they eat.

But critics say GMO foods are safe. The Grocery Manufacturers Association and other industry groups have filed a federal lawsuit to block the law.

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