Hartzler: Labeling law informs consumers at a reasonable cost

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) today voted to give consumers clarity and uniformity in the labeling of food products containing genetically engineered ingredients. H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, which Hartzler co-sponsors, passed with a bipartisan vote of 2.

“This bipartisan bill addresses the problems caused by the current patchwork of states' various, and sometimes contradictory, labeling laws for genetically modified food which have caused uncertainty for food producers and threatens higher prices for all” Hartzler said. “Consumers in Missouri and across the country want more information about how their food is produced, yet these disparate laws have made that more difficult. Creating a uniform national policy regarding GMO labeling, similar to the USDA's popular Certified Organic Program, is the free market solution that will give consumers access to the information they want, while creating market opportunities for producers and informing consumers at a reasonable cost.”