Midwest Food Processors Association: Hail Senate passage of GMO labeling bill

Contact: Nick George, President 608-255-9946 Nick.George@mwfpa.org

Brian Elliott Dir. of Communications 608-255-9946 Brian.Elliott@mwfpa.org

Midwest Food Processors Hail Senate Passage of GMO Labeling Bill

The Midwest Food Processors Association (MWFPA) today thanked the United States Senate for passing legislation establishing a national standard for labeling foods with genetically modified ingredients, otherwise referred to as GMOs.

Nick George, president of MWFPA said the measure “protects consumer choice while it creates a uniform, science-based labeling standard for foods made with GM ingredients.” The organization pledged to work with the House of Representatives to pass a similar measure.

The bill now moves on to the House which passed legislation last July that is at variance to the Senate measure. The House version barred states from creating GMO labeling laws and established a voluntary labeling system. While the Senate compromise also pre-empts state laws requiring GMO labeling, it provides for a mandatory national uniform labeling standard.

Under the Senate version, companies are offered a choice of providing consumers with an on-package label or creating a symbol or electronic label that can be scanned with a smartphone or directs consumers to “more food information.” However, if there is an electronic label, it must take consumers directly to information on genetically modified ingredients.

“Today’s bipartisan vote demonstrates broad support for the labeling of foods with GM ingredients,” George continued. “A patchwork of state-by-state labeling requirements is simply not an option, as testimony at several congressional hearings clearly evidenced.”

In 2014, Vermont became the first state in the nation to enact a mandatory GMO labeling bill, raising the specter of similar measures in states across the country. The Vermont law went into effect on July 1. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals is still considering the food industry’s challenge to Vermont’s enactment on constitutional grounds.

“MWFPA has always recognized the desire of consumers to know what is in their food. This important legislation gives consumers the information they want in a consistent and factual way,” said George. “It also reaffirms the authority of federal regulators over food safety and labeling, and prevents the slow but sure development of dozens of different state food labeling laws.”

Senate passage of the legislation, by a margin of 63-30, came just a week after more than 1,000 food and agricultural organizations issued a letter supporting the bill.

Genetically modified food ingredients have been proven safe by nearly 2,000 studies from the leading scientific bodies worldwide. Included are the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association. Up to 80 percent of the food available in the United States contains genetically modified ingredients.