Big food and biotechnology companies and trade associations have reported spending $51.6 million over the first half of this year, some or all of which went to lobby for legislation that would block state and federal agencies from requiring food companies to label products that contain GMO ingredients, according to new analysis by EWG.

The biggest spenders among individual companies were Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kellogg’s, Kraft, General Mills and Land O’Lakes.  Over the first two quarters of this year, these six companies disclosed $12.6 million on lobbying expenses that made reference to legislation aimed at killing state and federal GMO labeling.  Food companies that disclosed lobbying expenditures tied to GMO labeling for the first time this year includes Unilever and Ocean Spray.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, a trade group that represents these and other food manufacturers, reported spending $5.1 million so far this year on anti-labeling lobbying efforts and other legislative priorities.  In disclosure forms examined by EWG, GMA said it hired 32 lobbyists and spent $1.4 million on lobbying that went exclusively to advocate anti-GMO-labeling legislation since 2014. 
All told, since 2013, the food and biotech industries have spent $143 million in lobbying expenditures that mentioned GMO labeling. 

If the industry continues to bankroll K Street lobbying at this rate, by the end of this year, it will have laid out more than $100 million, a steep increase from last year’s total of $66 million for similar purposes and quadruple the comparable 2013 figure of $25.4 million

EWG’s analysis is based upon documents filed with the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Secretary of the U.S. Senate. The filings mention GMO labeling legislation along with other policy issues. EWG did not count lobbying disclosure forms that made no reference to GMO labeling legislation.

Three states have enacted laws that require food makers to label products that contain GMO ingredients.  All food sold in Vermont that contains GMO ingredients will need to be labeled by July 1, 2016; the labeling laws in Connecticut and Maine are scheduled to go into effect when other northeastern states pass similar legislation.  Another 17 states are considering similar legislation.