BILL NUMBER: AB 88	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huffman

                        JANUARY 6, 2011

   An act relating to food labeling.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 88, as introduced, Huffman. Food labeling: genetically
engineered food.
   The Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law makes it unlawful to
manufacture, sell, deliver, hold, or offer for sale, any food that is
misbranded. Food is misbranded if its labeling does not conform to
specified federal labeling requirements regarding nutrition, nutrient
content or health claims, and food allergens. Violation of this law
is a misdemeanor.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to require the labeling of all genetically engineered
salmon entering and sold within the state.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Wild Pacific salmon are a critical natural and cultural
resource of California, and are under increasing environmental
stress. More than 106 major salmon runs in northern California and
the Pacific Northwest are extinct and another 214 runs of wild salmon
are at risk of extinction. An escaped genetically engineered fish
could pose additional environmental risk to California's already
stressed wild salmon populations and coastal ecosystems.
   (b) The west coast salmon fishing industry, including both
commercial and recreational components, has lost an estimated 72,000
jobs over the last 20 years. In the face of market confusion, seafood
consumers may avoid purchasing salmon altogether to avoid
genetically engineered salmon which would further negatively impact
California's wild salmon fishermen.
   (c) The Legislature, in recognizing the potential risk to wild
fish populations posed by the farming of genetically engineered fish,
banned these practices in the waters of the state in 2004.
   (d) The United States Food and Drug Administration is currently
weighing approval of the first genetically engineered salmon for
human consumption and determining whether labeling of genetically
engineered salmon in the marketplace is warranted.
   (e) The United States Food and Drug Administration's current
review of genetically engineered salmon does not adequately consider
the potential environmental effects and health effects associated
with genetically engineered salmon, including, but not limited to,
risks to native salmon populations and other freshwater and marine
species.
   (f) Public opinion polls indicate that 95 percent of the public
want labeling of genetically modified foods and that nearly 50
percent of the public would not eat seafood that has been genetically
engineered.
   (g) Concerns about genetically altered salmon include, but are not
limited to, the following:
   (1) Human health risks, including, but not limited to, potential
allergenicity.
   (2) Negative environmental impacts to our wildlife and ecosystems
including, but not limited to, negative impacts on freshwater and
marine habitats.
   (3) Religious-, ethical-, and cultural-based dietary restrictions.

   (h) Accurate and truthful labeling to describe whether or not
salmon is genetically engineered is the easiest and most protective
practice to provide additional transparency in the state's seafood
supply chain so that individuals may protect their health and
California's environment.
  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation
to require the labeling of all genetically engineered salmon entering
and sold within the state.