Senate Bill 281 "An Act relating to labeling and identification of genetically modified fish and fish products."
Click for PDF: http://www.akdemocrats.org/sponsor/SB281_ss_sen_elton.pdfTransgenic foods are those in which the genetic structure has been altered at the molecular level by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes. There has been widespread concern throughout the world over the largely unknown effects of transgenic, or genetically modified (GM) products on human and environmental health.
In an effort to address concerns raised by consumer, environmental, health, and Alaskan fish marketing groups, SB 281 requires Alaskan retailers to identify and label foods containing fish and shellfish, or fish and shellfish products that have been genetically modified.
The message that Alaskan seafood is more natural than seafood that has been engineered or bred is a highly important marketing tool. This bill, by requiring a differentiation between GM and wild seafood helps highlight Alaska seafood as distinct from GM seafood, thereby doing away with any vagueness that may exist to the consumer when purchasing seafood without labeling, and reinforcing the natural message.
Many GM agricultural products are currently allowed on the U.S. market, and an application submitted by an aquaculture company for the use of a GM, growth-enhanced salmon is pending before the Food and Drug Administration’s Center For Veterinary Medicine.
Currently, legislation in the European Union, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia requires labeling on foods made from, or containing GM products. SB 281 is similar to legislation introduced in other states, such as Oregon and California, and it comes with the unanimous support of the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force, a committee comprised of legislators, seafood harvesters and seafood processors.