US: Associations support national GMO labeling standards

Industry trade associations expressed support Tuesday for the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, w…

Industry trade associations expressed support Tuesday for the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which would establish uniform labeling standards at the federal level for GMO and GMO-free foods.

The bill was approved Tuesday by the House Committee on Agriculture.

In a letter to the committee prior to passage, Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of Food Marketing Institute, and Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, said member companies of both associations and consumers “need one national standard for items produced without genetic engineering, and it is essential this national standard includes clear criteria and definitions.

“[A] federal standard would supersede actions by any and all other jurisdictions, thereby avoiding the potential for a 50-state system of different and conflicting GMO labeling laws that would confuse consumers and would be incredibly difficult for the industry to implement.”

In a separate statement Larkin said, “Independent supermarket operators interact with shoppers on a daily basis and understand they share a bond of trust with their customers to provide a variety of safe and quality food choices. NGA and its members believe consumers should have clear and consistent information on the food products they purchase and consume.

“NGA supports the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, [and] we applaud … efforts to implement a federal legislative solution to address the patchwork of state regulations that are driving up the cost of food and creating major logistical complications for food distributors.

"We believe a uniform and voluntary standard, regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, will ensure that GMO labeling of food products is consistent and transparent to consumers nationwide.”

Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of Grocery Manufacturers Association, said passage of the bill by the House Committee on Agriculture “is further evidence of the growing support and momentum in Congress for this bill, and we urge the full House to pass it before the August recess … [to] ensure Americans have accurate, consistent information about their food rather than a 50-state patchwork of labeling laws that will only prove costly and confusing for consumers, farmers and food manufacturers.”