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 The move demonstrates fresh momentum for those seeking to block
mandated labeling of foods made with GMO crops, food industry
advocates said.
“This... legislation will ensure that 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," said Pamela Bailey,
CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), said in a
statement.
The group called on the full House of Representatives to pass the
measure, which the panel approved in a voice vote, before the August
recess.
Groups lobbying for mandatory GMO labeling said they are increasing
their efforts to make sure that H.R. 1599, dubbed the Safe and
Accurate Food Labeling Act, never becomes law.
 "The real fight will be in the Senate," said Scott Faber, executive
director of Just Label It, an advocacy group pushing for mandated
labeling. "This is from over."
They say the bill is objectionable not only because it would
overturn state GMO labeling laws, but because it also prevents state
and local governments from regulating GMO crops, and would keep the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration from creating a mandatory GMO
labeling standard.
"Those states like mine, Maine, which has already passed a law that
requires GMO labeling... we would be prohibited from doing it," U.S.
Rep Chellie Pingree, a GMO labeling supporter, said in a conference
call with reporters.
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The debate over GMO labeling has heated up in recent years and
several food-related companies have removed GMO ingredients from
their products.
Labeling supporters say consumers have a right to know if GMOs are
in their food. They cite a lack of scientific consensus on safety
and concerns about the herbicide glyphosate, which is widely used on
genetically modified crops. Residues of the pesticide have been
detected in foods, and a World Health Organization research unit
earlier this year said it was classifying glyphosate as "probably"
cancer-causing for humans.
Opponents say mandatory labeling would raise food prices, confuse
consumers without cause as GMOs are well regulated and are no less
safe or nutritious than foods made with non-GMO ingredients.
(Reporting by Carey Gillam in Kansas City; Editing by Christian
Plumb)
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