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Natural Awakenings Greater Boston - Rhode Island

New GMO Labeling Bill Needs Citizen Feedback on Capitol Hill

Congressman Mike Pompeo (R), of Kansas, has introduced bill HR 4432, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014 (Tinyurl.com/LabelGMOBill), which would ban states from passing genetically engineered food labeling laws and undo those already passed, making voluntary labeling the law of the land.

The bill also allows companies to label products containing GMOs as “natural,” bans any mention of organic natural foods as being safer or better than their GMO counterparts, and sets a strong burden of proof on organic small farms that wish to grow and market their products as GMO-free. Healthy food advocates have dubbed it the “Denying Americans the Right to Know (DARK) Act.”

Connecticut, Maine and Vermont have already passed GMO labeling laws. In Massachusetts, 154 of the state’s 200 legislators have signed on to co-sponsor a bill, currently known as House Docket 369, which ensures the clear labeling of all foods sold in the state that contain genetically engineered ingredients. Despite such efforts to require GMO labeling across the country, Big Agriculture and biotech companies like Monsanto are trying to block citizens’ rights to know what’s in their food. As the issue is critical and time-sensitive, action needs to be taken now to contact Congress and voice opposition to bill HR 4432.

Find specific legislators by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or visiting House.gov. Sign petitions at Tinyurl.com/SignStopDarkAct. For more information about the Massachusetts legislation on GMO labeling, visit MARightToKnow.org.