Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal on GM Labels

The deal announced last week by the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee would require the nationwide labeling of GMOs, in packaged foods for the first time. But it would be more lenient than Vermont's law, allowing food companies to use a text label, a symbol or electronic label accessed by smartphone. Vermont's law would require items to be labeled "produced with genetic engineering.

 

The agreement couldn't become law before Vermont's law kicks in July 1, since the House is on vacation until July 5. Legislation passed by the House would make the labeling voluntary, but that measure stalled in the Senate earlier this year.

 

The International Dairy Foods Association commended Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow for finalizing a bipartisan agreement that would establish a uniform, national standard for labeling foods made with genetically modified, or GMO, ingredients. IDFA urged members of Congress to act quickly to pass the legislation.

 

The bill, if passed, would prevent a state-by-state patchwork of labeling mandates. One such law is scheduled to take effect in Vermont on July 1, 2016.

 

“This bipartisan agreement on GMO labeling would bring consistency and transparency to the marketplace, provide consumers with access to more product information than ever before and avoid stigmatizing a safe, proven technology that is a central part of modern food production,” said J. David Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy. “This issue is so important to dairy foods companies, many of our members came to Capitol Hill last week to discuss the negative impact that state-by-state labeling would have on their customers, consumers and operations. We’re pleased that agreement has been reached and we’ll continue to push for passage of this important legislation.”

 

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) also issued a statement from Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO, on the bipartisan agreement in the Senate on legislation to set a uniform national food labeling standard and promote greater disclosure of genetically engineered ingredients. It said: “This is the commonsense solution for consumers, farmers and businesses. The Senate needs to pass this bill quickly. This bipartisan agreement ensures consumers across the nation can get clear, consistent information about their food and beverage ingredients and prevents a patchwork of confusing and costly state labeling laws.”

 

That’s why GMA created the innovative SmartLabel technology initiative.

 

“SmartLabel will put detailed information right at the fingertips of consumers about thousands of products so they can find what they want to know – and when they want to know it. The industry is committed to providing that information through SmartLabel and to updating it quickly. SmartLabel leverages digital technology and smart devices to bring consumers information about hundreds of product attributes. It enables them to get much more information than ever before,” explains Bailey.

 

Consumers can access SmartLabel at home or on the go while making their shopping list – and when they are in the store. It can enable them to learn more about how their food is produced, how animals are treated and how fish was caught – more information than can fit on a package label.

 

Over 35 companies already are committed to the SmartLabel initiative, and by mid-June, more than 500 products are using SmartLabel and are listed on the SmartLabel.org website. Thousands more products are likely to be added in the next several weeks. By the end of 2017, projections are that over 34,000 products will to be using SmartLabel. This includes 22,000 products disclosing information about genetically modified ingredients and 6,500 personal care, household and pet care products.