The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF) has released a statement addressing the hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s role in regulating genetically modified food organisms (GMOs) and the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, authored by Representatives Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC).
“Imposing mandatory labeling laws on a state-by-state basis does nothing but mislead consumers, drive up grocery prices and lead to massive disruptions to interstate commerce,” said Claire Parker, spokeswoman for the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food.
Parker added that the hearing is “an important step toward ensuring that food labeling decisions are made by scientific experts.”
Following mandatory-labeling ballot initiatives that were recently voted down in Oregon, Colorado and Washington State, CFSAF believes now is the time for Congress to adopt a national, consistent, labeling standard that protects consumers, famers and food manufacturers.
CFSAF supports the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which it said would eliminate consumer confusion created by a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws, advance food safety, inform consumers and provide consistency in labeling. The legislation reaffirms the FDA as America’s preeminent authority on food safety and labeling requirements; requires the FDA to approve all new GMO ingredients before they are brought to market; and establishes federal standards for companies that wish to voluntarily label their products for the absence-of or presence-of GMO food ingredients.
The coalition said it is committed to increasing understanding about the science and safety of GM technology and to advocating for a federal labeling solution.
