Genetically modified (GM) food is a controversial issue that is set to become an electoral one in the US, with one state set to vote on the practise.
In November, California will be the first state to vote on whether declaration labels will be mandatory on all genetically modified food.
Up to 18 states in the US have attempted to pass similar laws in the same way, but so far all have failed to make it to the statewide ballot.
But in California, Proposition 37 as it is known, has received over a million citizen signatures, indicating it will be successful and foods that have been genetically modified with have to include that information on labelling.
Those against genetically modified foods believe consumers have the right to know if what they’re eating has been created or altered in such a way.
Major food manufacturers including PepsiCo, Nestlé and Coca-Cola, however, are opposed to the legislation, arguing that fears over the lack of long term health impacts of genetically modified foods are misguided.
They even argue that the benefits of genetically modified food far outweigh the perceived negatives.
"Bioengineered crops are the safest crops in the world," Bob Goldberg, a molecular biologist who's a professor at UCLA and a member of the National Academy of Science said.
"We've been testing them for 40 years.
“They're like the Model T Ford.
“There is not one credible scientist working on this that would call it unsafe."
Up to 80 percent of all processed foods sold in the US are made with genetically modified ingredients, including corn, soybeans, sugar beets and cotton oil.
If the proposal became law in California, genetically modified processed foods would be required to include the words "Partially produced with genetic engineering" on the front or back label, while foods entirely made through GM systems would h have to declare so with a sign on the shelf.
Where do you stand on genetically modified foods? Do you think Australians need input, similar to California?