2013 Washington Initiative 522

Ballot measure in Washington that would have required foods containing GMOs to be labeled Initiative 522 Washington Concerns Labeling of Genetically-engineered Foods 857,511 895,557 1,753,068 2013 Washington Initiative 522 results map by county.svg County results Yes: #B6C8D9 50–60% #7D9CBB 60–70% No: #DEDEBD 50–60% #BCBC83 60–70% #8B8B54 70–80% #5D5D2D 80–90% Source: Washington Secretary of Statehttps://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20181106/State-Measures-Initiative-Measure-No-1631-Initiative-Measure-No-1631-concerns-pollution.html November 6, 2018 General Election Results, Initiative Measure No. 1631 concerns pollution. Secretary of State State of Washington 27 November 2018 20 February 2019 Washington Initiative 522 (I-522) "concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods" and was a 2012 initiative to the Washington State Legislature. Reed Sam Washington State Secretary of State Proposed Initiative to the Legislature – 2012 2012 http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/Initiatives.aspx?y=2012&t=l March 14, 2013 As certified by the Washington Secretary of State, it achieved enough signatures to be forwarded to the legislature for consideration during the 2013 session.Noble Adam Secretary Wyman certifies I-522 to lawmakers From Our Corner (blog) Washington Secretary of State February 1, 2012 http://blogs.sos.wa.gov/FromOurCorner/index.php/2013/02/secretary-wyman-certifies-i-522-to-lawmakers/ March 14, 2013 The legislature did not vote on the initiative, so I-522 advanced to the November 5, 2013 general election ballot. If passed into law by voters, I-522 would have taken effect on July 1, 2015. The initiative failed with 51% opposition.Washington Secretary of State Initiative to the Legislature 522 Concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods November 5, 2013 General Election Results Office of the Secretary of State November 26, 2013 https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20131105/State-Measures-Initiative-to-the-Legislature-522-Concerns-labeling-of-genetically-engineered-foods.html November 4, 2014 If approved, I-522 would have required that non-exempt foods and agricultural products offered for retail sale state "clearly and conspicuously" on the front of the package if they were genetically-engineered, contain or might have contained genetically-engineered ingredients. With more than $17.1 million in donations opposed before September 30, I-522 set a new record for money spent against a state initiative, exceeding the $12.35 million spent in 2011 to oppose Initiative 1183, privatizing liquor sales.Kamb Lewis No on 522 campaign shatters state fundraising record for ballot measures Seattle Times October 1, 2013 http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/10/01/no-on-522-campaign-shatters-state-fundraising-record-for-ballot-measures/ October 24, 2013 By late October, No On I-522 had set the all-time record for any initiative campaign with $21 million. Combined contributions of $27.7 million are still less than $32.5 million spent by both sides around I-1183.Kamb Lewis No on 522 breaks fundraising record for Washington initiative campaigns Seattle Times October 28, 2013 http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/10/28/no-on-522-breaks-fundraising-record-for-washington-initiative-campaigns/ October 28, 2013 Ballot title and summary As described by the Secretary of State's office, the measure "would require most raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, and seeds and seed stocks, if produced using genetic engineering as defined, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale." According to the official ballot measure summary, This measure would require foods produced entirely or partly with genetic engineering, as defined, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale in Washington, beginning in July 2015. The labeling requirement would apply generally to raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, and seeds and seed stock, with some exceptions, but would not require that specific genetically-engineered ingredients be identified. The measure would authorize state enforcement and civil penalties, and allow private enforcement actions. Full text of the measure is available online at the Washington state website.Reed Sam Initiative Measure No. 522 filed June 29, 2012 Secretary of State of Washington 2012 http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/FinalText_285.pdf March 14, 2013 Provisions I-522 is approximately nine pages long and adds a new chapter to Title 70 of the Revised Code of Washington. Section one includes more than three pages stating various reasons for the initiative, related to consumer choice, religious belief, consumer health concerns, environmental concerns, economic concerns and worldwide trends in consumer labeling laws. This section explains that 49 countries, including many significant US trading partners Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, Russia and the European Union have labeling requirement for genetically engineered foods. This section asserts that labeling will give Washington's foods a share of the multibillion-dollar lost market opportunity in exports to these countries. Section two establishes various definitions, including section 2(3)(a) which strictly defines "genetically engineered" by specific genetic engineering techniques, and differentiated from selective breeding. These specific genetic engineering techniques include various recombinant DNA and RNA methods such as micro-injection, electroporation, micro-encapsulation, liposome fusion, protoplast fusion or other "hybridization techniques that overcome natural physiological, reproductive or recombination barriers, where the donor cells or protoplasts do not fall within the same taxonomic family, in a way that does not occur by natural multiplication or natural recombination." Section three requires that "any food offered for retail sale" be labeled "clearly and conspicuously" if it contains genetically-engineered ingredients, with certain exceptions. Exemptions consistent with current federal regulations include prepared foods such as those coming from a restaurant, meat from animals fed genetically engineered feeds, alcoholic beverages and foods processed with GE enzymes.Kamb Lewis Truth Needle: I-522 ads stretch truth on what would be labeled Seattle Times October 22, 2013 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022103454_truthneedlegmoxml.html October 25, 2013 For non-exempt foods, it would require "on the front of the package" the words "genetically engineered," "produced with genetic engineering," "partially produced with genetic engineering" or "may be partially produced with genetic engineering" stated "clearly and conspicuously." Section four authorizes the Washington State Department of Health to "adopt rules necessary to implement" the law, with section five authorizing civil penalties for violations, section six noting that I-522 creates a new chapter for RCW Title 70 and section seven a basic severability clause. Support Support for the I-522 was coordinated by YES on 522, a group that included food activistsSeptember 2013, small-scale producers and several food co-operatives such as PCC Natural MarketsI-522 Petition Supporters Label It Washington 2012 http://www.labelitwa.org/where_to_sign_i_522 March 14, 2013 March 28, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130328123151/http://www.labelitwa.org/where_to_sign_i_522 dead PCC Natural Markets contributes $100,000 in support of I-522 Press Release PCC Natural Markets October 1, 2012 http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/about/news/2012_1001_support_i_522.html March 14, 2013 and natural food stores such as Whole Foods Market.Linden Rachel Whole Foods Will Ramp Up GMO Educational Efforts When I-522 Is Officially Approved For November Ballot Seattle Post-Intelligencer January 10, 2013 http://blog.seattlepi.com/videoblogging/2013/01/10/whole-foods-will-ramp-up-gmo-educational-efforts-when-i-522-is-officially-approved-for-november-ballot/ March 14, 2013 It was also promoted by the Organic Consumers Association, which called for a boycott on Safeway Inc. unless the grocery store company would withdraw from the Grocery Manufacturers Association and contribute financially to the Yes on 522 campaign.http://www.chronline.com/news/article_90481f80-eb6c-11e2-958c-0019bb2963f4.html Organic Consumers Association Calls for Safeway Boycott 12 July 2013 The Chronicle 2013-08-09 In addition to being the single largest donor, Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps issued a special label in support of I-522.Johnson Nathaniel Dr. Bronner's soapbox: Working GMO labels into a lather Grist October 3, 2013 https://grist.org/food/dr-bronners-magic-soapbox-working-gmo-labels-into-a-lather/ October 3, 2013 Other support came from labor groups including the Washington State Labor Council.Connelly Joel Labor supports Initiative 522, food labeling Strange Bedfellows Blog Seattle Post-Intelligencer October 10, 2013 http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2013/10/10/labor-supports-initiative-522-food-labeling/ October 11, 2013 The Yes on 522 web page for endorsements lists over 350 businesses, 25 seafood groups, 150 farms, more than 100 other groups, 45 elected officials and many individuals.Yes On 522 Endorsements Yes On 522 http://yeson522.com/endorsements/ October 23, 2013 As of mid-October, 2013, reported campaign donations showed more than 13,000 donors for I-522 giving $6.2 million with a median donation of approximately $25.Minard Anna Just Look Behind the Curtain: The Donor Lists for the GMO Initiative Say Everything The Stranger October 23, 2013 https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/just-look-behind-the-curtain/Content?oid=18019666 October 23, 2013 Opposition Opposition to I-522 came primarily from large chemical corporations (Monsanto Company, DuPont Pioneer, Dow AgroSciences LLC, and Bayer CropScience), and organizations such as Washington Friends of Farms and Forests, Northwest Food Processors, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, the Washington State Farm Bureau and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, who rallied and mounted a $46 million campaign via Nestle SA, General Mills Inc., Coca-Cola Co and PepsiCo Inc to defeat the initiative.Peters Elizabeth NORTHWEST FOOD PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO STATE-LEVEL FOOD LABELING INITIATIVE Press Release Northwest Food Processors Association January 8, 2013 http://www.nwfpa.org/the-news/1171-northwest-food-processors-association-responds-to-state-level-food-labeling-initiative March 14, 2013 March 8, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130308065524/http://www.nwfpa.org/the-news/1171-northwest-food-processors-association-responds-to-state-level-food-labeling-initiative dead Brown Steve Dan Wheat Petition for GMO labels goes to Wash. Secretary of State Capital Press February 2, 2013 http://www.capitalpress.com/print/SB-GMO-petition-011113-art March 14, 2013 January 16, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130116140041/http://www.capitalpress.com/print/SB-GMO-petition-011113-art dead Wheat Growers Oppose Mandatory GM Labeling Press Release Washington Association of Wheat Growers February 11, 2013 http://www.wawg.org/news/%26slug%3Dwheat-growers-oppose-mandatory-gm-labeling March 14, 2013 February 18, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130218070220/http://www.wawg.org/news/%26slug%3Dwheat-growers-oppose-mandatory-gm-labeling dead These large donations have reportedly "shattered" previous fundraising records against any other initiative, a full month ahead of the election.http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2013/10/01/no-on-522-campaign-shatters-state-fundraising-record-for-ballot-measures/ No on 522 campaign shatters state fundraising record for ballot measures Kamb Lewis October 1, 2013 Seattle Times October 3, 2013 Opponents of I-522 cited the editorial boards of fifteen different newspapers as opposing the initiative.No on 522 Coalition Leading Washington Newspapers Urge NO on 522 Press Release NO on 522 Coalition October 16, 2013 http://www.votenoon522.com/leading-washington-newspapers-urge-no-on-522/ October 23, 2013 As of mid-October, 2013, reported campaign donations showed ten donors for I-522 giving $17.2 million with a median donation of approximately $545,827. Donors Public records of initiative donations are listed at the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission website.Continuing Political Committees Washington State Public Disclosure Commission http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcViewReports/Committee/initiative_committees March 14, 2013 September 7, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130907101724/http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcViewReports/Committee/initiative_committees dead Dr Bronner's Magic Soap Company was the largest donor in support, and the only pro-522 donor giving more than $1 million. The largest donation in opposition was $7.2 million of opposition money was identified as coming from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), details of which emerged after Washington state attorney general Bob Ferguson filed charges against them for violation of state campaign-finance laws.Gillam Carey Washington state sues lobbyists over campaign against GMO labeling Reuters October 16, 2013 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-gmo-labeling-idUSBRE99F19B20131016 October 22, 2013Baker Mike Coca-Cola, Pepsi among key brands that oppose Initiative 522 Seattle Times October 18, 2013 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022078300_foodlabelingxml.html October 22, 2013The Olympian, "GMO fight: Attorney General sues to force No on 522 donor to reveal sources of its $7.2 million contribution", October 16, 2013http://www.kgw.com/news/local/WA-AG-sues-food-industry-group-over-GMO-initiative-228183991.html KGW, "WA AG sues food industry group over GMO initiative", October 17, 2013 October 25, 2013 October 29, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200210/http://www.kgw.com/news/local/WA-AG-sues-food-industry-group-over-GMO-initiative-228183991.html dead Seattle PI, "Faced with lawsuit, Grocery Manufacturers Association agrees to disclose campaign finances," October 18, 2013 As of October 25, 2013, GMA had reportedly given $11 million in total.Le Phuong No on Initiative 522 campaign sees influx of cash from food industry group Associated Press October 27, 2013 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/oct/27/no-on-initiative-522-caign-sees-influx-of-cash/ October 28, 2013Connelly Joel AG: More violations in No on 522 money Strange Bedfellows (political blog) Seattle Post-Intelligencer October 30, 2013 http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2013/10/30/more-violations-in-no-on-522-money-no-action-until-2014-ag/ November 3, 2013 In 2022, GMA (renamed the Consumer Brands Association) paid $9 million to settle the charges, and apologized for the violations.Jenkins Don March 2, 2022 Food makers settle with Washington state for $9M over initiative campaign https://www.capitalpress.com/state/washington/food-makers-settle-with-washington-state-for-9m-over-initiative-campaign/article_9304633a-9a60-11ec-b3c5-53bea17dcbbb.html 2022-08-15 Capital Press en State law requires the top five contributors to be listed. As of October 23, 2013 the largest contributors in support of I-522 are Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps, Organic Consumer Fund Committee to Label GMOs in WA State, Joseph Mercola, Presence Marketing Inc, and Nature's Path Foods USA. The top five contributors in opposition to I-522 are the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Monsanto Company, DuPont Pioneer, Dow AgroSciences LLC, and Bayer CropScience. Results Initiative 522 failed with 51% voting against.https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20131105/state-measures-initiative-to-the-legislature-522-concerns-labeling-of-genetically-engineered-foods.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250815070315/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20131105/state-measures-initiative-to-the-legislature-522-concerns-labeling-of-genetically-engineered-foods.html August 15, 2025 live Initiative to the Legislature 522 Concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods Wyman Kim Kim Wyman November 5, 2013 Secretary of State of Washington January 24, 2026 Washington Secretary of State 2013 Washington Initiative 522 857511 895557 By county +County resultsCountyhttps://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20131105/state-measures-initiative-to-the-legislature-522-concerns-labeling-of-genetically-engineered-foods_bycounty.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250414031902/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20131105/state-measures-initiative-to-the-legislature-522-concerns-labeling-of-genetically-engineered-foods_bycounty.html April 14, 2025 live Initiative to the Legislature 522 Concerns labeling of genetically-engineered foods - County Results Wyman Kim Kim Wyman November 5, 2013 Secretary of State of Washington January 24, 2026NoYesMarginTotal votes#%#%#%Adams2,32579.81%58820.19%1,73759.63%2,913Asotin4,29467.85%2,03532.15%2,25935.69%6,329Benton30,89272.95%11,45327.05%19,43945.91%42,345Chelan13,14667.08%6,45132.92%6,69534.16%19,597Clallam12,30449.90%12,35550.10%-51-0.21%24,659Clark51,75756.65%39,60243.35%12,15513.30%91,359Columbia1,13578.49%31121.51%82456.98%1,446Cowlitz13,87461.79%8,57838.21%5,29623.59%22,452Douglas6,63373.24%2,42326.76%4,21046.49%9,056Ferry1,24452.87%1,10947.13%1355.74%2,353Franklin9,23374.45%3,16825.55%6,06548.91%12,401Garfield80181.90%17718.10%62463.80%978Grant12,02775.27%3,95124.73%8,07650.54%15,978Grays Harbor10,39157.75%7,60142.25%2,79015.51%17,992Island14,34050.27%14,18649.73%1540.54%28,526Jefferson5,69839.06%8,88960.94%-3,191-21.88%14,587King220,30840.45%324,38259.55%-104,074-19.11%544,690Kitsap37,47549.60%38,07250.40%-597-0.79%75,547Kittitas6,54961.35%4,12538.65%2,42422.71%10,674Klickitat3,76860.66%2,44439.34%1,32421.31%6,212Lewis13,11262.63%7,82337.37%5,28925.26%20,935Lincoln2,99676.92%89923.08%2,09753.84%3,895Mason10,10156.72%7,70643.28%2,39513.45%17,807Okanogan6,43860.26%4,24539.74%2,19320.53%10,683Pacific3,98156.24%3,09743.76%88412.49%7,078Pend Oreille2,59260.27%1,70939.73%88320.53%4,301Pierce98,65754.78%81,44045.22%17,2179.56%180,097San Juan2,63635.30%4,83164.70%-2,195-29.40%7,467Skagit18,26251.35%17,30248.65%9602.70%35,564Skamania1,61856.67%1,23743.33%38113.35%2,855Snohomish83,15748.32%88,92851.68%-5,771-3.35%172,085Spokane72,71460.34%47,79739.66%24,91720.68%120,511Stevens7,92356.21%6,17343.79%1,75012.41%14,096Thurston34,52348.28%36,98251.72%-2,459-3.44%71,505Wahkiakum1,11361.29%70338.71%41022.58%1,816Walla Walla10,03970.58%4,18529.42%5,85441.16%14,224Whatcom32,05846.50%36,87853.50%-4,820-6.99%68,936Whitman6,77771.96%2,64128.04%4,13643.92%9,418Yakima28,66672.20%11,03527.80%17,63144.41%39,701Totals895,55751.09%857,51148.91%38,0462.17%1,753,068 See also California Proposition 37 (2012) Genetically modified food Selective breeding References 2 External links Yes on 522, campaign for I-522 No on 522, campaign against I-522 RCW Title 70 "Public Health and Safety" "What Washington Should Know about GMO's" Category:2013 Washington (state) ballot measures Category:Ecolabelling Category:Genetic engineering in the United States Category:Initiatives in the United States Category:Washington (state) law