Food Labels
Pompeo seeks Senate path for GMO-labeling bill
Seventeen lawmakers signed as co-sponsors to the Pompeo-Butterfield bill in the House to pre-empt state labeling of foods made with genetically modified organisms. Rep. Mike Pompeo, a Kansas Republican, told reporters he's spent a lot of time talking to senators about the legislation, a broader-reaching bill than his 2014 version. "We just have to find the right path forward," he said, which means finding well-positioned sponsors who could help steer the bill through committee approval to a floor vote.
COOL repeal will barrel through House in June, says Conaway
House Agriculture chairman Michael Conaway forecasts easy passage of a bill to repeal country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on cuts of beef, pork and chicken, beginning with his committee today and on the House floor in June. "If we can get a big vote in the House ... that will help" build momentum for Senate approval, Conaway told reporters on Capitol Hill. He said he was working with GOP House leaders to arrange a floor vote in early June. "The train is leaving the station, if not left the station."
House bill expected this week to pre-empt state GMO labels
Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo is expected to file a new version this week of his bill to pre-empt state laws that require labels on food made with genetically modified organisms, according to reports by Agri-Pulse and Politico. The bill would include language allowing the USDA to certify foods to be sold with a non-GMO label. Food companies that use the non-GMO label "would be barred from suggesting 'either expressly or by implication' that their products are safer than biotech versions," says Agri-Pulse.
Conaway sets meat-label repeal in motion after WTO loss
The House Agriculture Committee will vote on Wednesday on repeal of the U.S. law that requires cuts of beef, pork, chicken and lamb to carry labels that say where the animals were born, raised and slaughtered. Chairman Michael Conaway, committed to repeal, called the meeting in the wake of a World Trade Organization ruling that the country-of-origin labels (COOL) are a trade barrier in disguise that suppresses imports from Canada and Mexico, which have fought COOL since 2008.
As WTO rules, a campaign to repeal meat-origin labels
U.S. manufacturers and foodmakers are pressing lawmakers for speedy repeal of the U.S. law that requires labels on packages of beef, pork, lamb and poultry meat to say where the animals were born, raised and slaughtered. So-called country of origin labeling (COOL) has been under challenge since December 2008 at the World Trade Organization, which has promised a final ruling on the matter by today. The United States lost three previous rulings and was expected to lose this one as well. WTO says COOL distorts trade by discouraging imports of livestock from Canada and Mexico.
Ruling on Vermont GMO label law may put heat on Congress
U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss ruled that Vermont can proceed with its first-in-the-nation law requiring special labels on food made with genetically modified organisms. The law takes effect on July 1, 2016. Foodmakers sued to block the law shortly after it was passed last year, and requested an injunction against implementation of the law while the suit was being decided.
Conaway’s committee is “prepared to lead” on repeal of meat-label law
"The House Agriculture Committee is prepared to lead" for repeal of the law requiring country-of-origin labels (COOL) on packages of beef, pork and chicken if the World Trade Organization rejects a final U.S. appeal, said chairman Michael Conaway. The WTO has ruled against the mandatory labels three times and says it intends to rule by May 18 on the last appeal allowed in the case. Canada and Mexico say COOL is a trade barrier in disguise that has reduced shipments of livestock into the United States.
Menu-labeling rules are not clear enough, senators tell FDA
Members of a Senate Appropriations subcommittee said FDA rules on calorie labels for restaurant and take-away foods are overly broad. The rules are scheduled to take effect on Dec. 1.
Bitter battle over listing “added sugars” on food packages
Foodmakers are in "a lobbying frenzy" over the administration's proposal to have the Nutrition Facts label on food packages include how much sugar was added during processing, reports the Los Angeles Times.
WTO ruling on U.S. meat-label rules expected in mid-May
A WTO panel expects to rule by mid-May on whether the United States violates global trade rules with its requirement for packages of beef, pork and poultry to say where the animals were born, raised and slaughtered, said AGCanada.com.
Senate, House bills would require GMO food labels
House and Senate sponsors announced a new drive in Congress to require labels on food made with genetically modified organisms. "Consumers have a right to know what is in the foods they eat," said California Sen. Barbara Boxer, one of the lead sponsors of the legislation. Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, the lead sponsor in the House, said, "If food manufacturers stand by their product and the technology they use to make it, they should have no problem disclosing that information to consumers."
Consumer group says chocolate may contain heavy metals
"Just in time for Valentine’s Day, news that may break a chocolate-lover’s heart," says the news site Fair Warning. The California consumer group As You Sow says it will file notices against candy companies for failing to put warnings on their chocolate...
Foes drop lawsuit, focus on Congress to fix COOL
Opponents of country-of-origin labels (COOL) on meat sold in grocery stores say they will focus on getting Congress to remodel the law. The foes withdrew a lawsuit against COOL rather than appeal to the Supreme Court after adverse rulings in U.S. district...
The label says “GMO free” but no uniformity on certification
While lawmakers argue over labeling food made with genetically modified organisms, "products certified as containing no genetically modified organisms are proliferating on grocery shelves without any nationwide mandatory regulations," says the New York Times.
Recession slowed cattle imports, not labeling rules-Report
The slow economic recovery from recession is to blame for a downturn in U.S. cattle imports, not the requirement to put labels on meat packages that list where cattle, hogs and chickens were born, raised and slaughtered, says a study by an Auburn U economist.
Idaho aggies mull bill to prevent GMO food labeling
Led by sugar growers and processors, farm groups in Idaho are considering whether to push for a state law against labeling food made with genetically modified organisms, says Capital Press.
EU will let members decide whether to grow GM crops
By a large majority, the European Parliament voted to let EU members decide whether to allow genetically modified crops to be grown on their land, says BBC News. Until now, decisions on GE crops were made for the bloc as a whole.
Repeal or rewrite may be only options on meat-origin labels
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says if the United States loses its WTO appeal over country-of-origin labels (COOL) on meat sold in grocery stores, the only choice left will be repeal of the law or extensive changes in it. "That's the deal," Vilsack said during a news conference in San Diego. Lawmakers instructed USDA last month to report by May 1 on how to bring the COOL into compliance with world trade rulings.
DC’s food lobby splinters amid squabbles
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, a giant among trade groups, is beginning to bleed members, with Nestlé the latest foodmaker to pull out, says Politico. "Complacency and a lack of leadership" at GMA are a factor, along with the hurly-burly of competing for sales in an evolving marketplace, it says.