|
UPDATE: 3/1/2024 - HB 549 died, it failed to be scheduled for a House floor vote before session ended on 3/1/2024.
UPDATE: 2/27/2024 - HB 549 was returned to the House Rules Committee as amended in the House Health and Human Services Committee on 2/27/2024. View the Committee Report HERE.
UPDATE: 2/23/2024 - HB 549 was heard and amended in the House Health and Human Services Committee by a vote of 13 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent on 2/23/2024. View the hearing minutes HERE.
The amendment modified Section 1. of HB 549 to remove the definitions regarding genetic modification and genetic material, re-define "Genetically modified meat product", and insert the definition of "mRNA vaccine" to mean a vaccine that introduces a piece of mRNA into the cells of an animal to induce the production of a viral protein in the animal's cells.
Section 1. of HB 549 now reads as follows:
(1) "Genetically modified meat product" means a meat product that:
(a) comes from an animal vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine; or
(b) is produced by cultivating or culturing animal cells in vitro.
(2) "mRNA vaccine" means a vaccine that introduces a piece of mRNA into the cells of an animal to induce the production of a viral protein in the animal's cells.
UPDATE: 2/20/2024 - HB 549 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Committee on Friday, 2/23/2024 at 4:00PM. View the hearing agenda HERE.
UPDATE: 2/21/2024 - HB 549 was referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on 2/21/2024.
HB 549 was introduced in the House on 2/15/2024. This bill is sponsored by Representative Trevor Lee.
HB 549 requires genetically modified meat products, including those made from animals receiving mRNA vaccines, to be conspicuously labeled, including penalties.
HB 549 establishes Part 6 under Title 4, Chapter 5, regarding the Wholesome Food Act of the Utah Agricultural Code, summarized as follows:
SECTION 1. Establishes statute 4-5-601 that defines (1) "Genetically modified meat product"; (2) "Genetic material"; and (3) "Genetic modification".
SECTION 2. Establishes statute 4-5-602 titled "Product labeling requirements."
"A genetically modified meat product sold in the state shall be conspicuously labeled:
(1) with the words "genetically modified meat product; and
(2) in a place on the packaging that is reasonably certain to notify a consumer that the product is a genetically modified meat product."
SECTION 3. Establishes 4-5-603 titled "Consumer information request" summarized as follows:
(1) Upon written request, a producer of a genetically modified meat product shall provide information relating to:
(a) any known harm or side-effect of the product on an individual; and
(b) the production or creation of the product.
(2) a producer of a genetically modified meat product shall provide the information described in this section no later than 21 days after the written request is received.
SECTION 4. Establishes 4-5-604 titled "Enforcement--Penalty."
(1) The department shall adopt rules as necessary summarized as follows:
(a) enforce the labeling requirements described in Section 4-5-602;
(b) establish the procedure for a consumer to request information from a meat producer; and
(c) establish the procedure for imposing and collecting a fine on a meat producer in violation of this Chapter.
(2) (a) The department may impose the following administrative fines against a meat producer summarized as follows:
(i) First violation: no more than $100;
(ii) Second violation: no more than $250; and
(iii) Third or subsequent violation: no more than $500.
Upon passage, HB 549 takes effect May 1, 2024.
NVIC SUPPORTS HB 549 because it facilitates informed consent for consumers who do not want to consume meat that has been genetically modified. NVIC supports informed consent. Without labeling these genetically modified meat products, the consumer cannot make an informed decision when they are choosing food for themselves or their family. An improvement on this bill would be to require all food, not just meat products, that has been genetically modified to be clearly labeled so that the consumer is informed of the food contents and can make an informed choice before consuming the product. New technology is being developed and studied to use plants to deliver mRNA vaccines. Another improvement would be to exact harsher penalties on companies that do not comply. A $100-$500 fine is very small amount for billion-dollar meat companies such as Tyson Foods who has sold over $52 million in 2023 alone.
https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0549.html - text, status, and history of HB 549
|