A state lawmaker says consumers deserve to know if they are purchasing food containing genetically modified ingredients. Senator Donna M. Nesselbush has introduced a bill to require any food containing genetically modified ingredients to bear a label disclosing that fact, beginning in 2017. Nesselbush, a Democrat, says she has nothing personally against these foods, but people have a right to know if they are eating them. She says Rhode Island should join a growing coalition of states requiring labeling. A bill to require labeling didn’t gain traction last session. Similar proposals have been opposed by biotechnology companies and agricultural groups, which say that farming these crops is more sustainable. Business groups worry about the cost of labeling. Nesselbush’s bill was referred to a committee. Similar legislation was filed in the House.