Tracy Loew

Statesman Journal

On Nov. 4, in the most expensive ballot measure campaign in Oregon history, voters will decide whether to force food manufacturers to label their products that contain genetically modified ingredients sold in the state.

If successful, Oregon would be the first in the nation to pass a labeling law at the ballot box.

It's the second time the issue has been on the ballot in Oregon, and the fourth time nationwide. Similar measures failed in Oregon in 2002, California in 2012 and Washington in 2013.

Last year, the Connecticut and Maine legislatures passed labeling laws, but they won't go into effect unless neighboring states also do so. More recently, the Vermont legislature approved a labeling bill, but it's being challenged in court.

Genetically modified ingredients are in most processed foods containing soy, corn or sugar.

The only way for consumers to know whether packaged food contains GMOs is to buy products labeled organic or with the independent Non GMO Project label.

The measure's proponents say consumers have the right to know how their food was produced.

Most GMO plants are bred to tolerate high doses of pesticides, they say.

"The public's right to have information to make informed decisions about the food they buy should take precedence over the efforts of agribusiness," said Sandeep Kaushik, spokesman for the Yes on Measure 92 campaign.

The requirement won't be a burden for manufacturers, which already label GMOs in 64 other countries, proponents say.

"Prices did not go up in those countries. Markets weren't disrupted. Farmers weren't hurt," Kaushik said. "U.S. food companies continue to sell their products in those countries and comply with labeling laws."

Opponents argue that labeling will drive up grocery prices and confuse consumers by implying that the food is unsafe.

Oregon's measure is poorly written and misleading, said Colin Cochran, a spokesman for the No on 92 Coalition.

That's because food sold in restaurants or delis is exempt. So is alcohol. And meat or milk from animals fed with GMOs wouldn't have to be labeled.

"Their entire premise is that this will give people information about their food choices," Cochran said. "This just doesn't."

The measure also would be costly to state government, Cochran said.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Health Authority would be charged with enforcement. The state has estimated start-up costs at $550,00 to $600,000.

It's uncertain what the full economic impact would be on the state.

"The more people learn about Measure 92, the less they like it," Cochran said.

Last week, the campaign officially became the most expensive in Oregon history, with more than $22 million raised by Oct. 24.

It also set a record for the most spent by one side in a campaign. Opponents have raised $16.3 million, while supporters have raised $6.5 million.

And it logged the biggest single contribution in state history – a $4.46 million donation from DuPont Pioneer to opponents.

"We've known from the beginning that we were going to be vastly outspent by the other side," Kaushik said. "That clearly is going to be the case here."

Total fundraising still is less than the $30.4 million raised in Washington's labeling initiative or the $54.3 million in California's.

The vote looks to be a close one.

In a poll conducted for Oregon Public Broadcasting/Fox 12 earlier this month, 49 percent of voters supported Measure 92, while 44 percent opposed it. Seven percent were undecided.

"Regardless of the outcome in Oregon, labeling efforts will continue nationwide, and increase, as more and more people become aware of the secret unlabeled changes to their food," said George Kimbrell, of the Center for Food Safety's Portland office. "All Americans will eventually have GE food labeling, like 64 other countries already do. It's not a matter of if, but only when."

Colorado has a similar initiative on the ballot, but polls show it is unlikely to win approval there.

tloew@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/SJWatchdog

Measure 92

What it would do: Requires the labeling of raw and packaged foods produced partially or entirely by genetic engineering, effective January 2016. Exempts traditional plant-breeding techniques such as hybridization. Does not apply to animal feed or food served in restaurants. Gives the state Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Health Authority enforcement authority.

Contributions supporting: $6.5 million, with large donations from Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps ($1.2 million), Center for Food Safety Action Fund ($1.1 million) and Mercola.com Health Resources ($650,000).

Contributions opposing: $16.3 million, with large donations from DuPont Pioneer ($4.6 million), Monsanto Company ($4 million) and PepsiCo Inc. ($1.4 million).