WASHINGON (Sputnik) — The Act has been labelled by its opponents as the Deny Americans the Right to Know (DARK) Act. It would impose federal standards for the labeling of foods and beverages with or without ingredients made from GMOs.
“Whether you love GMOs or hate them, you ought to know if the food that you’re feeding your family is made from them,” McGovern said on Wednesday during a debate on the 2015 Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee on July 14, 2015, and must now be approved by the full House and Senate and then signed into law by President Barack Obama.
McGovern called the bill “one of the most misnamed pieces of legislation I think we’ve considered this year,” as it does not change the existing system of voluntary labeling and does not provide consumers with enough information about the food.
The bill also allows foods containing GMOs to be labeled as “natural,” while 60 percent of Americans think “natural” means GMO-free, McGovern explained.
He said that the bill allows states to ignore consumer demands and invalidates state laws that require GMO labeling.
Three states, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut, require GMO labeling, while dozens are considering passing a similar legislation, according to the release.
McGovern added he supports a national law that applies to all 50 US states in order to avoid confusion.
Proponents of the bill such as the industry group Coalition for Safe Affordable Food deny that the bill would overturn the local GMO crop bans, and claim it would prevent an increase of food prices.
Manufacturers in more than 60 countries are required to label foods containing GMO ingredients. In the United States, GMO labeling is not mandatory.
