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From: Steve Ueda [steveu @suisan.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 11:59 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: kylek @suisan.com; 'Glenn Hashimoto'; 'Wesley Wakimoto'; 'Kosaka, Kathleen'
Subject: Testimony for GMO Labeling Bill
Attachments: Testimony for GMO Labeling Bill 20111206.pdf
Written testimony for the GMO labeling bill.
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Steve Ueda I
Key Account Manager-Retail -<
Suisan Company,Ltd. MC :Cr-
Main Office:(808)935-8511 N m
Direct:(808)969-6327
Cell:(808)987-4040
-av: (808)935-2737
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Ref. To:
Ref. Dote I. 0 7 2011
12/6/2011
Suisan Company, Limited
1965 Kamehameha Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
December 6, 2011
Hawai`i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Dear Chair Dominic Yagong and members of the Hawaii County Council:
RE: Statement in Opposition to GMO Labeling Bill
My name is Steve Ueda, and I represent Suisan Company, Ltd., a distributor of food and food-
related products to over 100 retailers on Hawaii Island.
The GMO Labeling Bill places an unreasonable burden on Hawaii's food retailers by making
them accountable for the labeling of food products containing GMO components.
A typical retail grocer may stock thousands of products, sourced from manufacturers worldwide.
Retailers have limited knowledge of the specific ingredients used in these products. For retailers
to monitor the ingredients and certify the GMO content of every product would be nearly
impossible.
Additionally, many manufacturers may be unwilling to commit resources to create packaging
specifically for the Hawaii market. So consumers may suffer if products are not available to
Hawaii retailers due to GMO labeling issues.
We oppose passage of the GMO Labeling Bill. Labeling for GMO is a national issue and should
be legislated and enforced at the Federal level.
Sincerely,
Steve Ueda
Key Account Manager