Supporters of an effort to require labels on food containing genetically modified ingredients say they now have the support of a majority of members in both the House and Senate in Massachusetts.
But the backers also acknowledged on Wednesday that they have yet to gain commitments from key legislative leaders, meaning there's no guarantee that the measure will come up for a vote before the session ends on July 31.
If the bill was approved, it would only take effect if several other states in the Northeast took action on genetically modified labeling. So far, Connecticut and Maine have passed similar laws.
Supporters say the labels would allow consumers to make informed choices about what they eat.
The food industry says genetically modified ingredients are safe and opposes mandatory labeling.