US May Ban State GMO Regulation, Create Federal Labeling Standards

The US Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act could overturn all individual state legislation concerning GMO crops bans or GMO food labeling requirements if passed in the House of Representatives next week, the Statesman Journal reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, referred to as the Deny Americans the Right to Know (DARK) Act by opponents, would mandate federal standards for the labeling of foods and beverages with or without ingredients made from genetically modified organisms (GMO).

The measure was approved by the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday.

"At a time when Americans — farmers and consumers alike — are seeking greater diversity and individual control in their food choices, this bill smashes those rights," Colin O'Neil, government affairs director at the Center for Food Safety was quoted as saying by the Statesman Journal on Wednesday.

Farmer Elise Higley, from Jackson County in the US state of Oregon, where a voter-approved ban on GMO crops went into effect just a month ago, said that "this is much more than just labeling" and that plenty of other issues are "wrapped up in this bill." The Statesman Journal reported Higley had arrived in Washington on Tuesday night and lobbied some 14 members of Congress to vote against the bill by Wednesday afternoon.

Proponents of the bill such as the industry group Coalition for Safe Affordable Food deny that the bill will overturn the local GMO crop bans and claim it will prevent an increase of food prices.

The bill, to be discussed in Congress, proposes a voluntary program to certify non-GMO food delegated to states, as well as a voluntary program for companies to disclose genetically modified ingredients.

Manufacturers in over 60 countries are required to label foods containing GMO ingredients. In the United States, GMO labeling is not mandatory.