News
House subcommittee to discuss GMO labeling
A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee has scheduled a hearing entitled: “A National Framework for the Review and Labeling of Biotechnology in Food.”
Representatives Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) introduced the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act in March. The bill was referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Representative Pompeo says the bill provides clarity so consumers, states and food producers have a consistent framework while supporting innovation that helps keep the price of food affordable while feeding a growing world population.
At the hearing, subcommittee members will discuss the role biotechnology plays in our nation’s food production and hear from experts about the safety of foods derived from genetically modified ingredients.
There has been an increasing call for a national labeling standard as several states are considering following Vermont’s establishment of a state labeling rule.
GMO labeling is imperative. Already the government controls whether a person purchases pasteurized versus unpasteurized milk. This decision was touted as being in the best interest of citizens’ health. But now, when there are health concerns with GMO products, the government wants to go the other direction and deny citizens this information. It certainly could cost the big food companies as people choose to purchase more non-GMO foods, just as the big milk producers would take a hit when choosing to purchase unpasteurized milk from the local dairy. So who exactly is this bill really supporting?