By Leah Dearborn | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

The new Genetically Engineered Food Act food labeling initiative moves forward in Washington state. Late last week in the state of Washington, Secretary of State Kim Wyman signed the official certification to move “The People’s Right To Know Genetically Engineered Food Act” into the legislature. A recent article on Ballotnews.org states:

The measure would require GMO labeling on raw or processed food offered for sale to consumers if the food is made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways. A minimum of about 241,000 signatures were required to advance the proposal to the lawmaking body. If the legislature chooses not to adopt the law, the measure would then appear on the 2013 ballot. (See Ballotpedia for more info)

A similar initiative was defeated in California during the 2012 election season, with biotech giant Monsanto serving as the proposition’s largest fiscal opponent.