Should food products be required to indicate on their label that they contain genetically modified (“GMO”) ingredients?

Proponents of mandatory GMO labeling say consumers should have the right to know what’s in their food. Opponents claim compliance with patchwork state labeling requirements would result in food price increases.

A bill sponsored by Kansas Republican Sen. Pat Roberts would have created a voluntary national labeling standard for foods containing GMOs. Because of federal preemption, if passed, this bill would have blocked Vermont from implementing its first-in-the-nation mandatory GMO labeling law, currently set to take effect on July 1, and subsequently prevented any state from requiring GMO labels on food.

The Roberts bill failed to get the 60 votes needed to move forward in the Senate. Negotiations will carry on, however, and a deal on a national GMO labeling standard could still be reached by the end of the week.

 

Related Reading: Senate blocks bill that would override state GMO labeling laws– Reuters.com