Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) is supporting a bill that will require genetically modified (GMO) food to be labeled as such when sold.

“Everyone has a right to decide for themselves what food they grow, buy, and eat, but we need to know so we can make that choice,” Johnson said. “We have labels that tell us if food is organic, what the nutritional value and calorie count are, and even whether the orange juice is from concentrate or not, yet we still do not know is whether our food has been genetically modified.”

The measure requires most foods and seed stock sold in Maine to be labeled if they contain genetically engineered ingredients. The long-term effects of consuming GMO foods are unknown, but GMO foods are becoming more and more prevalent in the marketplace, with up to 75 percent of processed food sold in grocery stores containing GMOs.

More than 60 countries, including Japan, China, Australia, Russia, New Zealand, and the 27 countries of the European Union require labeling of all GMO foods, and a recent poll by PanAtlanticSMS Group of Portland found that 91 percent of Mainers are in favor of such labeling.

“Maine has a long and rich tradition of healthy food production,” Johnson said. “Maine people know and trust their local farmers. GMO labeling would allow consumers to make informed choices on food purchases.”

The bill was scheduled for a public hearing before the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Sen. Johnson represents Senate District 20, the Midcoast region. In the Maine Legislature,  Johnson chairs the Marine Resources Committee and serves on the Education and Government Oversight Committees.