Center for Food Safety (CFS) has been working hard to support the federal bills to label genetically engineered food. Without mandatory labeling of GE foods, consumers are being left in the dark about the foods we are purchasing and feeding our families. There is overwhelming public demand—consistently near 95%—for the labeling of GE foods.  Yet the U.S. is one of the only developed countries in the world that doesn’t require labeling; sixty-four countries have mandatory labeling policies for GE foods including Korea South, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, South Africa, Australia, the entire European Union, and many others. Since the federal labeling bills were introduced in the House and Senate three weeks ago, more than 60,000 CFS supporters have already contacted their Senators and Representatives urging them to support our right to know.

This week, CFS held a Congressional briefing on the House and Senate labeling bills, called the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act.  CFS executive director Andrew Kimbrell was joined by Gary Hirshberg, Chairman of Just Label It and Stoneyfield Organic, and Doug Gurian-Sherman, Senior Scientist at Union of Concerned Scientists.  A packed room of congressional staffers and media heard expert analysis from these representatives of the science, business and public interest communities. 

The bill was introduced on April 24th in both the House and the Senate by Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).  It is the first GE food labeling bill to be introduced in the Senate in a decade. With 30 house members and 10 Senators now co-sponsoring, the legislation is gaining considerable traction on Capitol Hill. 

Staffers noted that they have been receiving a heavy flow of calls to their offices from constituents supporting the legislation.   The briefing offered them an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the issue, including both general discussion of GE foods as well as details about how the bill affects FDA and is imperative to consumer choice.  CFS looks forward to continuing these discussions on Capitol Hill through subsequent briefings and one-on-one meetings with legislators. 

Public pressure for GE food labeling is mounting and CFS is working hard to ensure your voices are heard loud and clear! If you haven’t already, please contact Congress and tell them to support your right to know!