Congress could act early in 2015 on legislation to pre-empt state and local requirements for labels on food made with genetically modified organisms, said Kansas Rep Mike Pompeo, sponsor of a bill to keep labeling voluntary. During a teleconference, Pompeo said there was no commitment yet from Republican House leaders but he believed his legislation could pass the House and Senate easily. “As long as we have safe food, there is absolutely no need to have labeling,” he said. Pompeo said he was seeking a Senate sponsor of a companion bill so the legislation could move in parallel in both chambers.
The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health held a hearing on Pompeo’s bill on Wednesday. According to The Hill newspaper, a senior FDA official said GMO foods are safe. A prominent Democrat, Henry Waxman of California, said GMO labels might mislead consumers into thinking the foods are dangerous, said The Hill. The largest U.S. farm group said it supported the Pompeo bill, HR 4432.