GMO labeling
Is agriculture’s moment in 2016 politics still to come?
The Iowa caucuses, often the high point for attention to agriculture, passed with little discussion of food or farm policy. Yet, "there are a number of signals that farm policy could continue to be a factor in voters’ decisions all the way to the general election, says National Journal.
GMO-label pre-emption unpalatable on its own, says senator
North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says legislation that pre-empts state laws without other action on GMO food labeling would see little support in the Senate. "I don't think you're going to be able to sell that," Heitkamp told Agri-Pulse.
The breaking point in GMO negotiations: a package label
Congress will have to decide whether to require special labels on foods made with genetically modified organisms, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who tried to broker a compromise between labeling advocates and foodmakers, who oppose mandatory labels.
Clock is ticking on GMO food labeling
The food industry is bankrolling a publicity blitz against mandatory GMO food labels that includes "a six-figure campaign that is running ads in prime time on network and cable TV in and around the nation’s capital," says the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Senators fear ‘anti-consumer loopholes’ in GMA’s SmartLabel
Americans "have a right to easy access of basic information about their food," said six Democratic senators, including presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, in questioning the food-industry initiative to use QR codes on packages to divulge data such as genetically engineered ingredients.
Will Maine pull the trigger on GMO food labeling?
Maine passed a GMO food-labeling law in 2014 that will not take effect unless the five states contiguous to Maine enact their own labeling laws. "But some lawmakers then began a drive to repeal the trigger, putting the law into effect, and a key statehouse panel is expected to take up the issue in coming weeks," reports the Associated Press.
Mum’s the label for GMO meeting
Both sides agreed to keep quiet about a meeting called by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss labeling of GMO foods. "I gave my word," said one participant in referring questions to USDA, which did not respond to queries. Up to a dozen people were expected at the meeting.
New Farm Bureau president says no to mandatory GMO labels
The largest U.S. farm group supports voluntary rather than mandatory nationwide labeling of GMO foods, said Zippy Duvall, shortly after his election as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
GE salmon and FDA’s next commissioner
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she is willing to stall a Senate vote on the nomination of Robert Califf as FDA commissioner "until he and FDA agree to mandatory labeling requirements for the AquAdvantage salmon," reports the Washington Post.
Vilsack to convene GMO food-label meeting this week
With Congress at an impasse on GMO labeling, the food industry and labeling activists will look for common ground at a session convened by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Campbell Soup supports mandatory GMO food labels
One of America's best-known food companies, Campbell Soup, said it "will advocate for federal legislation that would require all foods and beverages regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be clearly and simply labeled for GMOs." With the decision, Campbell is the first major foodmaker to support mandatory nationwide labeling.
Food industry sees chance for GMO label deal in January
Rebuffed this year on pre-emption of state labeling laws, the food industry sees the chance for a compromise on GMO food labeling in January under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We stand ready to roll up our sleeves to work with him and others to find a solution that can be passed by Congress quickly," said Roger Lowe of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
GMO pre-emption out, COOL repeal in omnibus bill
The long fight over labeling GMO food will continue into the new year despite a last-ditch push by the food industry for Congress to pre-empt state label laws.
Congress has a barn-burner of a week ahead
Congress will try to wrap up every possible major issue this week in a sprint to adjournment for the year, scheduled for Friday. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told representatives "to keep their schedules flexible as we approach the end of the year." The heavy lifting would come in two bills - the catch-all appropriations bill to fund the government for the rest of fiscal 2016 and a tax "extenders" bill.
COOL repeal, GMO pre-emption in the year-end mix
The catch-all government spending bill that will be among the final pieces of legislation to pass Congress this year might be a vehicle for repeal of the country-of-origin label and the federal pre-emption of state GMO labeling laws, said Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley.
Few routes left in Congress for GMO pre-emption
Time has run out in Congress for a standalone bill to pre-empt state laws that require labels on GMO foods, said Agri-Pulse, but the issue isn't dead even as Congress plans to adjourn within two weeks.
In GMO labeling war, foodmakers unveil “smart” labels
Foodmakers and one of the largest U.S. grocery chains launched the SmartLabel campaign that will allow customers to learn about products by scanning bar and QR codes or searching the Internet. The technology will include information by the end of 2017 on whether 20,000 food items contain GMOs, said the trade group Grocery Manufacturers Association.
GE salmon a long way from US dinner plate despite FDA approval
For the first time, the FDA has approved the sale and consumption of a genetically engineered animal, the AquAdvantage salmon developed by a Massachusetts company. Although FDA approval is a signal achievement for the biotechnology industry - the first GE crops went on the market in 1996 - it could be years before fillets or steaks from the fast-growing salmon are sold in supermarkets.