HI SR40

Requests the Department of Agriculture to facilitate increased cooperation between agricultural producers and retailers to address consumer concerns about genetically modified organism (GMO) contamination in products.

Requests the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to work with organic and natural food producers and retailers to evaluate and implement a labeling system for non-GMO products.

Notes that 72-94% of U.S. citizens and 72% of Hawaii residents support labeling of GMO foods, and that numerous nations including the European Union, Japan, and China require GMO food labeling.

References the "Non-GMO Project Verified" label as an example of an industry-wide consensus system that has been successfully developed for addressing GMO contamination.