The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday afternoon pre-empting states from requiring mandatory labeling for Genetically Modified (GMO) food products. The bill, named the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, passed 275 to 150.
The bill was heavily supported by the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, which argued that mandatory labeling of GMO food products in states would drive up the cost of food for average families. Included in the bill is language allowing for the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a voluntary “genetically engineered food certification program.” As part of this program, products could be voluntarily labeled as non-genetically engineered, or as genetically engineered, given that it meets a set of criteria regarding source and handling.
The goal of the bill was to establish consistency of voluntary labeling similar to that of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and the organic certification program. The bill would prohibit mandatory labeling of food developed using genetic engineering on a state-by-state basis and allow for a labeling certification program to be under control of the Department of Agriculture rather than the Food and Drug Administration.
