MONTICELLO, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther has cosponsored legislation that would require labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in New York State. “Assembly member Gunther showed real leadership by standing up for the right of New Yorkers to know whether the food we feed our families is genetically engineered,” said Alex Beauchamp, Northeast Region director at Food & Water Watch (FWW) on April 8. “It’s time for her colleagues in the Assembly and the Senate to follow suit and pass GMO labeling into law now.”

According to FWW, “An overwhelming majority of Americans—over 90% in many polls—want GMOs to be labeled.” If the bill passed, New York would be the fourth state, following Vermont, Connecticut and Maine, to pass a law to require labeling. Gunther’s announcement comes less than a month after a rally in Albany where 250 attendees from around the state flooded the capitol to demand their right to know what’s in their food.

“They say you are what you eat,” Gunther said. “It’s important to pass this legislation so that we know what is in the food that we are eating.” The New York bill now has 75 cosponsors in the state Assembly and 29 cosponsors in the Senate.