IDFA and GMA Hail “Win-Win” Congress Passing Nationwide GMO Labeling Rules

15 Jul 2016 --- The International Dairy Foods Association and The Grocery Manufacturers Association have hailed a “win-win” the introduction of new national rules for labeling products made with genetically modified organisms that negate tougher demands introduced in the state of Vermont.

Congress has green lighted a federal requirement for food manufacturers to label GMO products across the US, after the bill was passed 306-117 in the House of Representatives following it being voted through in the Senate.

The new requirements will be seen as a major victory for food companies, who have campaigned vigorously for the introduction of a nationwide standard to quash a strict Vermont labeling law that went into effect just days ago.

The new national rules around GMO labeling- which are expected to years to phase in- require the use of a computer scanning code on the packaging or a toll-free number or website which would direct consumers to find out whether the food was altered in any way.

This is in contrast to the far stricter rule in Vermont, which demanded that food manufacturers explicitly label GMO products.

The GMA, which challenged the Vermont law in court, said: “It is remarkable to see broad and bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate come together to pass this GMO disclosure legislation.”

“Republicans and Democrats found consensus on the common ground that a patchwork of different state labeling laws would be a costly and confusing disaster for the nation’s food supply chain. They also joined together to give consumers more access to consistent and helpful information about genetic engineering."

“This is a win-win for every American family in every state. The legislation ensures that consumers get more information about genetically engineered ingredients, prevents a patchwork of confusing and costly state labeling mandates, and provides the same labeling rules to shoppers regardless of where they live or shop.”

“It is the right solution to increase disclosure of information that consumers are seeking without stigmatizing a safe technology that feeds a hungry and growing world.”

“Now that Congress has passed this reasonable and much-needed solution, we urge President Obama to sign this bill quickly. Vermont’s mandatory on-package GMO labeling law took effect on July 1 and threatens the nation’s food supply chain with costly and lasting disruptions. Already, consumers in Vermont are finding fewer products on the shelves and small businesses are facing higher costs of compliance."

“Food and beverage companies agree on the importance of making available to consumers the information they want about their products.”

J David Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy, said: “We’d like to thank Senators Roberts and Stabenow and all the members of Congress who voted to give consumers access to more product information than ever before without stigmatizing a safe and proven technology that is a central part of modern food production."

“This nationwide disclosure system for GMOs will bring much-needed consistency and additional transparency to the marketplace, and we ask President Obama to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.”