PULLMAN, WA – In an effort to defeat the state’s Initiative 552, which requires labeling of some food and beverages with genetically engineered ingredients, the food industry and agribusinesses have contributed $17 million to lobbying efforts, Northwest Public Radio reports.

TV and radio spots have been bombarding citizens, an impassioned campaign that Western Washington University political science professor Todd Donovan likens to a 2010 state effort to repeal a soda tax.

“This reminds of the beverage tax in that you’ve got some really powerful, well-financed groups that don’t want to see the idea spreading to other states and they’re probably willing to spend a ton of money here to play defense so they don’t have do to this elsewhere,” he said.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and seed and pesticide-maker Monsanto are the top funders of the “No on 522” movement. On its website, Monsanto called GMO food labeling a scare tactic designed to lead to a ban on genetically engineered foods.

Proponents of 522 have raised nearly $5 million, much of that coming from out-of-state companies like Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA).

The OCA’s associate director Katherine Paul said there is a lot at stake in the battle.

“Winning in Washington will show that the will is there," Paul said. "That the consumers, the people are not going to give up on this and it will send a strong message to Washington, DC.”