Reps. Mike Pompeo, (R-K), and G. K. Butterfield, (D-NC), reintroduced a bill last week that is designed to offer reforms to the U.S. food supply. According to a recent news release, nine Republicans and eight Democrats are in support of the bill, with the majority of these 17 original co-sponsors sitting on either the Agriculture or Energy & Commerce Committee.
Called the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015, the legislation is designed to help ensure farmers will continue to be able to improve crop quality and quantity and offer nutritious, affordable food in the U.S. and around the world.
Without the reforms in this legislation, a patchwork of state GMO labeling laws could mislead consumers and increase food prices for families, according to the news release. The bill preserves and affirms FDA’s role in food safety, while respecting Americans’ interest in knowing what is in their food.
As a result, this legislation includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through a USDA-accredited certification process.
“We took the positive feedback we received after our hearing in December and have been meeting with key stakeholders to ensure this is the right policy for both producers and consumers,” Pompeo said. “Our goal for this legislation remains to provide clarity and transparency in food labeling, support innovation, and keep food affordable.”
“The potential for a 50 state patchwork of varying labeling standards would increase costs for producers and translate into higher prices for consumers to the tune of more than $500 per year for the average family,” Butterfield said. “This bill will provide clear rules for producers and certainty for consumers at the grocery store checkout lane.”
“When it comes to food labeling, state by state standards do not work. This bill seeks to end the guessing game and provide folks the peace of mind that labels are accurate,” said Chairman Fred Upton, of the Energy and Commerce Committee. “Safe and accurate labeling is something that we should all be able to rally around with broad bipartisan support.”
Source: news release from U.S. Congressman Mike Pompeo