It’s probably not the news some in the food industry want to hear, but a new study conducted by the University of Vermont suggests consumers won’t be scared away from purchasing foods containing genetically modified ingredients if those foods would be required to carry a GMO label.
The American Beverage Association has sued the city of San Francisco alleging new legislation passed by city officials that requires health warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages and prohibits the advertisement of them on city property violates the First Amendment, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Four hundred and seventy-five groups from all 50 states spanning the entirety of the American food supply chain sent a letter to the US House of Representatives urging members to vote in favor of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.
Hailed as the answer to state-specific organic labeling laws by some in the food industry, the House Agriculture Committee approved the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 Tuesday.
The rule requires food establishments with 20 or more locations to provide consumers with calorie and other nutrition information for standard menu items.
FDA said it will extend the enforcement date for the labeling rule a full year, giving all parties covered by the new rule until December 1, 2016 to prepare. In conversations with FDA, chain restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses that fall under the new rule asked for more time.
The new rules allow manufacturers to qualify for a labeling exemption, if they can prove an ingredient is modified so it no longer presents a risk to consumers with allergies.
North American Meat Institute President and CEO Barry Carpenter Thursday told Senate Agriculture Committee members that mandatory country of origin labeling must be repealed to avoid a possible $3 billion in annual penalties. Carpenter was one of six witnesses to testify in the hearing.