Udall Opposes Bill to Block GMO Labeling, Cosponsors Plan to Support Consumers' Right To Know

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined the Senate in defeating anti-consumer legislation designed to prevent states from setting clear rules regarding food labeling for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The bill, which would ban states from requiring labels for genetically engineered ingredients in food, failed to get the required 60 votes to advance. Udall supports transparency and will continue to fight for laws that ensure New Mexicans and all Americans can readily learn whether the food they buy contains GMO ingredients.

Also this week, Udall announced that he has cosponsored a more balanced alternative bill - the Biotechnology Food Labeling and Uniformity Act - which would enable consumers nationwide to get accurate information about GMO ingredients on food packaging while ensuring food manufacturers can rely on a uniform national standard.

"I support New Mexicans' right to transparency so they know if the food they're buying to feed their families was produced with genetically modified ingredients," Udall said. "The bill the Senate voted on today was designed to preempt state-led efforts to label GMO products. I agree that a patchwork of state-specific labeling laws is not the best solution for consumers or food manufacturers, including family farms and agricultural co-ops in New Mexico. But we can strike a balance that works for everyone by simply listing GMO ingredients in a clear, accurate way. The Biotechnology Food Labeling Uniformity Act does just that - and it will ensure families in New Mexico and across the country know what's in the food we eat."

The Biotechnology Food Labeling Uniformity Act would amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require manufacturers to disclose the presence of genetically modified (GM) ingredients on the Nutrition Fact Panel in one of four ways:

- Manufacturers may use a parenthesis following the relevant ingredient to indicate that this ingredient is "Genetically Engineered."
- Manufacturers may identify GM ingredients with an asterisk and provide an explanation at the bottom of the ingredients list.
- Manufacturers may simply apply a catch-all statement at the end of the ingredient list stating the product was "produced with genetic engineering."
- The FDA would have the authority to develop a symbol, in consultation with food manufacturers, that would clearly and conspicuously disclose the presence of GM ingredients on packaging.

None of these options would require front panel disclosures or "warning" statements intending to disparage GM ingredients.