Lawmakers express support for a bill that would codify a national, voluntary standard for labeling such foods

[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=””]Lawmakers express support for a bill that would codify a national, voluntary standard for labeling such foods[/title][fusion_text]Friday, June 19th 2015

Most lawmakers present at a House hearing on labeling of biotech foods today expressed support for a bill that would codify a national, voluntary standard for labeling such foods and preempt state GMO [genetically modified organism] labeling laws. The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on health reviewed the most recent version of a bill, H.R. 1599,introduced by Reps. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., and G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., in March. The Energy and Commerce Committee and House Agriculture Committee worked together to update the language and circulated the latest discussion draft last week. Language that preempts state laws requiring mandatory labels on food made with genetically engineered (GE) crops is unchanged. The bill also includes a provision that would require food makers to go through a USDA program to receive a certified non-GMO label for their products. That program would be similar to one now administered by USDA for its National Organic Program. During the hearing, Pompeo noted that the revised bill also “ensures that every new GE plant destined for the nation’s food supply goes through FDA’s safety review.” According to the bill, before a new GE trait is approved by USDA and before it can be commercialized into the market, the developers of the trait must complete FDA’s safety process and send the results to USDA, certifying that there are no further concerns relative to the safety of that trait.

[/fusion_text][/fullwidth]