U.S. Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation Mandating GE Labeling for Food

U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) have reintroduced a proposed bill that would require the Food and Drug Administration to initiate labeling rules for foods that contain genetically engineered (GE) ingredients.

“Some in the food and chemical industry say adding this very small piece of information to food labels will confuse people, will alarm people,” Boxer said. “Well, that argument is a familiar one. It’s been raised by almost every single industry when they want to avoid giving consumers basic facts about the product they’re buying.”

The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act reportedly has wide-ranging support from more than 120 public health, consumer and
environmental organizations. The congressional lawmakers introduced similar legislation in the 113th Congress. See The Hill and Press Release of Congressman Peter DeFazio, February 12, 2015.

Issue 555