[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Campbell Soup Co. to start labeling products for the presence of biotech ingredients[/title][fusion_text]Friday, January 8th 2016
The Campbell Soup Co. says it will start labeling its products for the presence of biotech ingredients, a landmark break from the rest of the conventional food industry. Campbell made clear that it still supported the use of genetic engineering in agriculture but said that there is a need for national labeling standards that would preempt state standards. Until now, the industry has been largely united in its resistance to including genetically modified organism (GMO) language on labels, preferring to disclose biotech ingredients through the newly developed SmartLabel system that provides the information through smartphone codes and on the Internet. The company said it would seek guidance from the FDA and approval by USDA for its labeling plans. The company posted an example of the language it plans to use: “PARTIALLY PRODUCED WITH GENETIC ENGINEERING,” which would be accompanied by a link to a company website. The U.S. House last summer passed legislation that would preempt state GMO labeling laws, but some Senate Democrats blocked any such provision from being added to the fiscal 2016 omnibus spending bill that passed in December. Leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee have said they would renew efforts to pass a preemption bill this year, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has said he wants to find a compromise that both sides can accept. The ranking Democrat on the Senate committee, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, has said that a compromise bill would have to include a mandatory disclosure requirement. Industry officials remain in discussions about a path forward.
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