MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Walk around City Market in Burlington, and you can find a number of organic foods, items that aren't made with any genetically engineered products or GMO's.
But the grocery store sells other things too and officials say its customers want to know what's in those products.
"We had over 95% responded in favor of knowing about it," said City Market General Manager Clem Nilan.
Some Vermont lawmakers agree.
That's why they've once again introduced legislation that would require companies to label products that use them.
Lawmakers tried to pass it last year, but it stalled after a company threatened to sue the state.
This time around, a state board hopes to move quickly and help lawmakers make a decision.
"We have a number of other projects that we need to get onto as well," said Vermont Agricultural & Forest Products Advisory Board Chair Leonard Bull.
But there are plenty of people who oppose the idea.
"From what I see the average family will experience about a $400 dollar a year food tax," said Bourdeaus' & Bushey co-owner Jim Bushey.
There are also some concerns from some businesses like Lake Champlain Chocolates because they say if Vermont goes ahead with a GMO bill and other states follow suit, it can be expense trying to create labels for everywhere it ships.
"I really do think we need a national standard," said Lake Champlain Chocolates sales director Allyson Myers.
This can only come from the FDA.
In the meantime the state board hopes to wrap up its hearings soon and present a recommendation to lawmakers by next month.
Right now there are two GMO bills in both the senate and house agricultural committees.
