The Whatcom County Council on Tuesday, March 26, will consider endorsing a statewide initiative requiring labels on genetically modified food.

The resolution in support of Initiative 522 was proposed by council member Barbara Brenner, and sponsored by her and Ken Mann, Carl Weimer and Pete Kremen - a majority of the council.

The resolution says I-522 would protect consumers' right to know what's in their food. Without the labels, the state's food exports could be curtailed by countries with restrictions on genetically modified organisms, or GMO. There also could be health risks associated with genetically engineered food, the resolution says.

Council will discuss the resolution at a meeting of the Public Works, Health and Safety Committee at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The resolution is scheduled for a vote of the full council at 7 p.m. that day. Both meetings will be held in council chambers at the county courthouse, 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham.

Reach Ralph Schwartz at 360-715-2289 or ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com. Read his politics blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.