Seattle City Council votes to back initiative for labels on genetically modified food

SEATTLE -- The Seattle City Council voted 8-1 Monday night to back Initiative 522, which would require labels on all genetically modified food products, the NPR radio station KPLU reported.

The initiative is going on November's ballot, so voters will decide the issue at that time.

But City Council members wanted to go on record as supporting it. The lone dissenting vote was from City Councilwoman Jean Godden, who said she voted no only because voters will decide the issue, not the City Council.

KPLU said the Washington Wheat Growers Association issued a statement opposed to the measure, saying it would force farmers and food companies to pay for new food labels and record-keeping that no other state requires.

Supporters of the initiative announced they would gather at Seattle's Theo Chocolate on Wednesday to show their backing for the new labels, KPLU said.