Under a bill gaining support in the Statehouse, Vermont could be the first state in the nation to require labels on products made with genetically modified crops. Lawmakers are now trying to craft the measure so it can withstand an expected court challenge.

Senator Bernie Sanders is urging his colleagues to allow individual states to require the labeling of all genetically engineered foods.

While Vermont's GMO labeling bill stalled in the House judiciary committee, close to 20 other states are still considering similar laws.

Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross says the Shumlin administration agrees that people should be able to know whether GMOs are in their food but he says the threat of lawsuit makes current legislation untenable.

Genetically engineered products are prevalent in the food system, from fruits and vegetables, to processed foods. But critics of GMOs say consumers don't have access to reliable information about the genetically modified organisms they are eating.