States Can’t Require Genetically Modified Food Labels, Says House Bill [Video]
Genetically modified food labels won’t be required on products, the House of Representatives decided in a bill that passed this week. According to PBS, the legislation prevents states from “requiring package labels to indicate the presence of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.” The bill passed 275-150.
The House just passed a bill banning GMO labeling: http://t.co/kZv1khixjj pic.twitter.com/Smh43h8pAF
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) July 24, 2015
Currently, the only state that plans to require genetically modified food labels is Vermont. Vermont’s law is supposed to take effect in July 2016, although the food industry is challenging the decision to require genetically modified food labels. The new bill would derail Vermont’s law permanently, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Two other New England states, Maine and Connecticut, also passed laws requiring the genetically modified food labeling, however, those laws won’t take effect unless their neighboring states follow suit, reports PBS.
No, you can't know whether your food has GMOs, says House http://t.co/kkKbijljkT pic.twitter.com/pCuCMMDF0Y
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) July 23, 2015
The food industry states that genetically modified foods are safe and argues that labels identifying genetically modified food from non-GMO products would confuse consumers. Food manufacturers also complained the cost to navigate through the new laws would be costly.
“The notion that if we somehow require companies to change their labels it will drive up food prices is not true,” said Colin O’Neil, director of government affairs for the Center for Food Safety, according to the Topeka Capital Journal. “Companies change their labels all the time without passing the costs onto consumers.”
“The reality is, biotechnology has time and time again proved safe,” the bill’s sponsor, Kansas Republican Representative Mike Pompeo, said on the House floor, reports PBS. “We should not raise prices on consumers based on the wishes of a handful of activists.”
Michael Gruber of the Grocery Manufacturers of America believes labeling advocates just want to scare consumers away from genetically modified food, with the intent to “tear down brands in the name of right to know.”
Advocates for the genetically modified food labels believe consumers should know whether their dinners are comprised of genetically modified food and believe states should have a right to decide whether special labels should be permitted.
According to PBS, “[A] December Associated Press-Gaff poll found that two-thirds of Americans support labeling of genetically modified ingredients on food packages.”
Vermont Representative Peter Welsh agrees, saying, “What’s the problem with letting consumers know what they are buying?”
The Food and Drug Administration claims GMOs are safe, and currently the federal government does not support mandatory genetically modified food labels. It’s unclear whether President Obama would sign off on the legislation, and so far the White House has stayed mum on the subject.
[Image credit: Sion Touhig/Getty Images]
