As expected, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and three others this week introduced legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration to review the safety of any bioengineered food product marketed for human consumption while also creating a federal labeling standard that would effectively ban any labeling for products federally deemed fit for sale. Other sponsors include G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Ed Whitfield (R-KY).
The legislative effort is meant to halt state attempts of mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). There are 27 states actively considering such bills that would require the labeling of GMO ingredients. The bill is “aimed at making sure we can continue to produce the food that feeds the world,” Pompeo said
Voluntary GMO labeling as well as information indicating whether products are USDA-certified as organic would be allowed to continue under the bill. The bill is backed by the Grocery Manufacturers Associations and other groups. The bill may received a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in June or July.
