Agricultural News
BIO Commends U.S. House of Representatives for Passage of Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:27:14 CDT
In bipartisan action Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) was passed by a vote of 275 to 150. The bill provides a national, consumer-friendly approach to the labeling of foods made with or without genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response:
"BIO joins with more than 400 organizations across all 50 states representing the American food supply chain in applauding today's passage of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) by the U.S. House of Representatives.
"We commend both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Agriculture Committee and especially the leadership of Congressmen Mike Pompeo and G.K. Butterfield for bringing about this national solution to GMO labeling.
"This bill ensures American food labeling approaches are consistent across all 50 states, protecting consumers, farmers and businesses from a costly, confusing patchwork of potential state-based requirements.
"The agricultural biotechnology industry is committed to transparency in the marketplace and answering questions about how technology is used to help grow the worldwide food supply. But this information must be conveyed in a fact-based manner that doesn't favor one farming operation over another or question the safety of GMOs, especially since the world's leading scientific and health authorities have determined GMOs are as safe as other foods.
"The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act helps address those questions and serves as a viable national solution to the debate around food labeling. We hope the U.S. Senate will consider similar legislation very soon, and we look forward to working with leaders in both chambers of Congress to further refine this legislation as it works its way to the President's desk for signature."
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act requires that food labeling in the United States be consistent and based on sound science. The bill increases coordination between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), giving our nation's foremost experts the final authority on food safety and labeling policy. The legislation also establishes a transparent, consistent GMO-free certification program, bringing clarity to those who choose to purchase GMO-free foods.
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