GMO Labeling Bill Signed into Law by President Obama

Last month Congress passed the legislation that means the majority of food packaging must carry a label, symbol or an electronic code readable by a smartphone indicating whether it contains GMOs.

 

The bill, signed by Obama at the weekend, gives companies three different options and has come under fire from many in American politics and the food industry who believe it is a watered down version of what was put forward in Vermont.

 

The state had called for stricter and much more transparent GM labeling, with a “produced with genetic engineering” marking, while the new law does allow for companies to opt for computer scanning codes on packaging which means the consumer has to find the information themselves.

 

Many also believe there are not enough penalties for companies that do not comply with the new law.

 

However, supporters believe it does go far enough, will offer more transparency for consumers and will prevent a patchwork state-by-state approach for GM labeling.

 

President and CEO of Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Pamela G Bailey, issued a statement following the signing by Obama.

 

“This legislation will open a new era for transparency in ingredient information for consumers, by requiring disclosure of genetically engineered ingredients for families in every state across the nation,” she says.

 

“Its consistent national standard is far better than a costly and confusing patchwork of different state labeling. The president’s signing of this legislation also stops, effective immediately, Vermont’s mandatory on-package labeling law that went into effect July 1 and already has left consumers in the state with fewer products on the shelves and higher compliance costs for small businesses.”

 

“Food and beverage companies fully embrace the importance of making available to consumers the information they want about their products, and are already doing something about it. Our innovative. SmartLabel technology initiative puts detailed information about thousands of products right at the fingertips of consumers, more information than could ever fit on a package.”

 

Bailey says that more than 2,000 products are already using SmartLabel and are listed on the SmartLabel.org website and estimates that more than 34,000 products will be using SmartLabel by the end of 2017.

 

“GMA looks forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as it begins the rule making process to implement this legislation now that it has been signed into law.”

 

The International Dairy Foods Association also applauds the landmark agreement.

 

“We are grateful to President Obama for swiftly signing into law a bill that is vital for consumers and food manufacturers, says Clay Hough, senior group president and legal counsel. “The new federal law explicitly preempts state GMO labeling laws, including Vermont’s, and will bring much-needed consistency to the marketplace.”