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Voluntary GMO labeling bill introduced in House

A number of agricultural organizations praising legislation introduced in Congress establishing federal standards for the safety and voluntary labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients. The measure is designed to head-off a number of mandatory GMO-labeling bills which have been introduced in some two-dozen states.

The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, introduced by Representative Mike Pompeo (R-KS) would have the Food and Drug Administration set standards for companies that wish to label their products as containing or not containing GMOs. In addition, FDA is required to conduct a safety review of all new genetically modified traits and could mandate labeling if there is a health, safety or nutrition issue with a particular ingredient. Pompeo tells Reuters he expects hearings on the bill sometime this summer. The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jim Matheson (D-UT) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

National Milk Producers Federation president Jim Mulhern said the legislation is a viable alternative to a patchwork of state policies and it clarifies “how companies can voluntarily label their products in a way that reduces confusion at the consumer level. Mulhern says up to 80 percent of the food available in the U.S. contains genetically modified ingredients.

The bill also would require the FDA to define the term “natural” when used on food labels.

AUDIO: Chuck Conner, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (5:40mp3)