With Vermont’s GMO labeling law set to go into effect on July 1, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has reached a bipartisan agreement to create a national standard that would preempt state laws. Committee Chairman Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) announced the compromise with Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

The bill would prevent states or other entities from mandating labels of food or seed that are genetically engineered, resolving a state-by-state labeling patchwork.
The compromise requires mandatory “disclosure” with several options: “text on package, a symbol, or an electronic link to a website.”

Gary Hirshberg, chairman of Just Label It and Stonyfield Farm, said the deal doesn’t go far enough. “American consumers should have the right to know what’s in our food and how it’s grown—just like consumers in 64 other nations. While we are pleased this proposal will finally create a national, mandatory GMO disclosure system, protects organic labels, and will cover more food than Vermont’s groundbreaking GMO labeling law, we are disappointed that the proposal will require many consumers to rely on smart-phones to learn basic information about their food. Now, the fight will shift to the marketplace and to USDA. This proposal falls short of what consumers rightly expect—a simple at-a-glance disclosure on the package.”

Dan Fabricant, PhD, CEO and executive director of the Natural Products Association (NPA), said that given the political climate, NPA would be happy to see legislation passed “that is consistent with our principle of having one federal standard versus a patchwork quilt of state regulations. We will continue to monitor this bill and to see if it is merged with the house companion bill passed earlier this year.”

Pamela Bailey, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, praised the agreement, saying “This is the commonsense solution for consumers, farmers and businesses. The Senate needs to pass this bill quickly. This bipartisan agreement ensures consumers across the nation can get clear, consistent information about their food and beverage ingredients and prevents a patchwork of confusing and costly state labeling laws.”

In recent months some major food companies, including Campbell Soup, General Mills and Kellogg, have committed to labeling products that contain GE ingredients to comply with Vermont’s bill.

It has been estimated that about 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelve contain genetically engineered ingredients. According to several polls, consumers overwhelmingly support GE labeling (over 90%).