The Washington congressional delegation should support Congressman Mike Pompeo’s Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The lack of federal action in past years has spurred states to create their own mandatory labeling standards. However, the federal government is the proper place for this regulation because consumers deserve to have accurate and reliable food labels in every state. Finally there is a sensible solution in Congress that will apply to all the states and won’t harm Washington agriculture.
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act is a voluntary system in which food producers can choose how to market their goods without increasing food prices. A study last year by Cornell University found that a mandatory state-based approach could force families to pay up to $500 more per year for groceries.
Thousands of products labeled “USDA Certified Organic” and “Non-GMO Project” help consumers identify foods made without GMO ingredients and we should support that current method of identification. This system allows the consumer to decide if they wish to pay the higher costs associated with purchasing foods that do not contain GMO ingredients. Additionally, every major scientific body and regulatory agency in the world has reviewed the research about GMOs and declared they are safe.
By creating a national voluntary standard for labeling, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act ensures that families and farmers in Washington are not burdened with the consequences of state-by-state GMO labeling. I hope our delegation supports this pragmatic legislation.
Ian Tolleson, director,
Government Affairs
Northwest Food Processors Association
Portland, Ore.
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