Reps Mike Pompeo of Kansas and GK Butterfield of North Carolina will unveil a bill today to set a federal standard for labeling genetically engineered foods and block states from adopting labeling laws of their own.
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling bill would make labeling voluntary for GMO foods. Labels would be required only if the FDA found health and safety issues with the foods. There have been no such findings to date and FDA would be unlikely to permit sale of foods that posed such risks.
“This is a big deal for feeding the world. I think there is a broad consensus this is the way to go,” Pompeo told reporters ahead of a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. With nearly two decades of U.S. experience with GMO crops, Pompeo said, “These products are safe.” Aides said the bill was an Energy and Commerce Committee initiative. The food industry has sought similar legislation.
The Pompeo-Butterfield bill would allow companies to sell foods as organic or natural or non-GMO.
Voters in Washington state narrowly defeated a state referendum last fall to require labels on foods made with GMOs and sold in grocery stores. Groups such as Just Label It and Right to Know GMO say a weak federal law would prevent consumers from knowing what is in their food.