Seven environmental and consumer groups say the government’s overhaul of its biotechnology regulations should result in mandatory labeling of food made with genetically modified organisms. The groups submitted their comments for the one-year review of the Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology. They said 130,000 people signed petitions in support of the steps they propose. Besides mandatory food labels, the groups called for protection against cross-contamination of non-GMO crops, mandatory safety testing and protection against increased pesticide use.
Submitting the comments were the Center for Food Safety, Food Democracy Now, Food and Water Watch, Friends of the Earth U.S., Green America, Organic Consumers Association, and Pesticide Action Network North America.
The nation’s first food-labeling law takes effect in Vermont on July 1. The House passed a bill last summer to override state laws and keep GMO labeling voluntary on the federal level. The Senate has not acted on the issue.
At present, the USDA, FDA and EPA share responsibility for deciding if GMO foods are safe and can be grown commercially. When the White House announced the review of the Coordinated Framework in July, the three agencies “formed a working group to update the framework for biotechnology regulations and further clarify which agency has oversight over particular product areas and rules for approving new products,” said DTN. The working group has a long list of priorities to address to ensure regulations still apply “a risk-based, scientifically sound approach to regulation the products of biotechnology.”