Articles

In front of a crowded gallery, consumers and distributors exchanged extremely emotional testimony at the Consumer Protection Committee hearing on House Bill 174, which requires the labeling of genetically engineered fresh produce sold in Hawai’i. Consumers, including parents that escorted children, outlined the risks of consumption along with the need for transparency of labeling, while distributors emphasized the safety of genetically engineered foods and the costs associated with implementation. HB 174 eventually passed through the Committee and now moves on to the House floor where it faces another reading.