Maui County Council members voted 8-0 Friday to adopt a resolution asking state lawmakers next year to consider a bill requiring the labeling of genetically modified food products.
Council Member Mike White was excused.
Council Member Elle Cochran proposed the resolution, noting that council members had taken the same action last year, but that the state Legislature did not act on the request.
Council Members Don Couch and Gladys Baisa voted "aye" with reservations, saying they wanted to keep the matter in committee for more discussion.
Maui County Council members heard sometimes emotional testimony, mostly in favor of requiring the labeling of food with genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs.
Those testifying in favor of the measure said that the safety of the food supply was at stake and that the measure did not call for halting GMOs, only labeling.
David Stoltzfus of Monsanto testified against asking the Legislature to require GMO labeling. He said food labeling is a federal responsibility and that federal research and regulatory agencies have conducted studies "that show no health or safety concerns that would call for the labeling of genetically modified crops."
For more on this story, see Saturday's Maui News.
