US: Spud leaders laud progress of voluntary GMO labeling bill

U.S. potato industry leaders say they’re pleased by the advancement of legislation establishing a voluntary national standard for labeling of genetically modified ingredients in food. The bill, introduced by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, passed the committee March 1 by a 14-6 vote. It now awaits a vote by the full Senate. According to the National Potato Council, the bill would provide uniform standards for consumers, businesses and farmers while avoiding a patchwork of state food labeling laws that would result in increased food processing and packaging costs. U.S. potato growers are happy to see this legislation move forward, NPC Executive Vice President John Keeling said in a press release. We are confident that both sides of the aisle in the Senate will reach a bipartisan compromise on any of the remaining issues. NPC noted the bill comes at an important juncture, as Vermont’s mandatory GMO labeling law is scheduled to take effect in July. More