Congressional Hearing Highlights Need for Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act

Washington, D.C.  (June 18, 2015) – Consumers deserve uniform, science-based food labeling standards according to expert testimony at a Congressional hearing today on biotech food labeling.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) applauds the House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee for holding this important hearing and further discussion on the bipartisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599).  

Introduced by Congressmen Mike Pompeo and G.K. Butterfield, the bill currently has 65 cosponsors along with public support from more than 400 organizations in all 50 states that represent every step of the American food supply chain—from farmers to food manufacturers.

“The testimony given at today’s hearing – as well as remarks from many of the Subcommittee members – provide even more evidence to both the safety and benefits of biotechnology and the cost and confusion created by a state-by-state approach to food labeling,” said Matthew O’Mara, BIO’s Acting Executive Vice President of Food and Agriculture.

“We understand that consumers have questions about how their food is grown.  This bill will help address some of those questions and provide consumers with a new, transparent and government-verified GMO-free labeling program."

The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act will ensure that food labeling in the United States is consistent across state lines and based on sound science.  The bill increases coordination between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), giving our nation’s foremost experts on food and agricultural safety the final authority on food labeling policy.  The legislation also establishes a transparent, consistent GMO-free certification program, bringing clarity to those who choose to purchase GMO-free foods.

"The agriculture and food production value chain – as well as consumers – need a national, science-based approach to food labeling," says O'Mara.  “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act represents such an approach, and that’s why we are seeing such tremendous momentum behind this bill.”

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