According to a bipartisan agreement reached yesterday, food companies nationwide will be required to label for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for the first time.
The Senate agreement is more lenient than the Vermont labeling law set to go into effect July 1. Vermont would require an explicit phrase, “produced with genetic engineering.” The federal deal allows options for labels using text, symbols, or electronic information accessed by a smartphone (such as a QR code).
The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Department of Agriculture both endorse the Senate’s deal. GMOs have recently been declared safe, but advocates for labeling maintain too little is known about potential risks.
Source: ABC News/AP. Senators Reach Deal on GMO Labeling.
