Congress Continues Churning GMO Labeling Legislation

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015, which would establish a voluntary labeling framework for genetically modified and non-GMO foods. The bipartisan sponsors of the bill are Reps. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., and George Kenneth Butterfield, D-N.C. They were joined by 104 additional co-sponsors, 38 of whom had signed on since the start of July.

If enacted into law, H.R. 1599 would accomplish several objectives. First and foremost, it would preempt any current or future state laws that mandate labeling for GMO foods. This includes laws already passed by Vermont, Maine and Connecticut. FaegreBD Consulting advisor Brad McKinney and principal Andy Ehrlich co-authored an article for Law360 with Faegre Baker Daniels associate Rachael Spiegel analyzing the legislation and its potential impacts.