GMO Labeling Bill Approved on House Floor

Last Thursday, by a vote of 275-150 the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R.1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which will preempt state and local mandatory GMO labeling laws and create a national voluntary labeling law.

The bill will eliminate the confusion and costs associated with a patchwork of state labeling standards and clearly establishes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the preeminent authority to make science based decisions on the safety of food. On the day prior to the vote, NPC sent individually addressed letters of support to every member of the House. The letter stated that by incorporating FDA fully into the regulatory process to determine the safety of GMO food products consumers will have confidence in the safety of all food products.

Potato growers want to supply consumers with the potatoes they desire whether that is GMO or non GMO and NPC believes that H.R.1599 is a well-reasoned approach that supports consumer choice and creates an environment where those consumers can be served efficiently. As a result of bipartisan approval in the House, this measure gained significant momentum heading to the Senate.