Just Label It Applauds Exclusion of Anti-GMO Labeling Rider in Omnibus​

For Immediate Release
December 16, 2015

Just Label It Applauds Exclusion of Anti-GMO Rider in Omnibus​

WASHINGTON– Just Label It, a coalition of more than 700 organizations and companies campaigning for Americans’ right to know what’s in their food, applauded congressional leaders for rejecting efforts by the food industry to block GMO labeling in the omnibus appropriations bill agreed upon today.

“It’s time for the food industry to come to the table and help us develop a GMO disclosure system that works for consumers,” said Gary Hirshberg, chairman of Stonyfield Farm and chairman of Just Label It. “Americans want the right to know what’s in their food and how it’s grown – the same right as consumers in 64 other nations.”

Hirshberg praised congressional leaders for rejecting a rider that would have prevented states from requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods in the absence of mandatory federal standards. He particularly thanked Senators Stabenow, Merkley, Tester, Boxer, Feinstein, Leahy, Sanders, Murphy, Blumenthal, Warren, Markey, Heinrich, Reed, Booker, Shaheen, Mikulski and Reps. DeFazio, Welch, DeLauro, Pingree, McGovern, Blumenauer, Young, Huffman, Pelosi, Farr, Lowey and Polis for their leadership.

The omnibus bill will also halt the sale of GMO salmon, recently approved by the FDA, until the federal agency requires mandatory GMO labeling of the fish. 

“In the last three years, major food and biotech companies have spent more than $200 million – $75 million this year alone – trying to block our right to know what’s in our food or how it is grown, by promoting voluntary GMO disclosure,” Hirshberg said. “It is now time for the food industry to instead work with consumers and advocates to craft a mutually acceptable mandatory, national GMO disclosure system that respects Americans’ rights to know and to choose. The Just Label It coalition will be willing participants in finding such a solution.”

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Contact: press@justlabelit.org