Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (HR 1599, 114th Congress) Download PDF
Calls for strictly defined, unified, federal regulations for the labeling of GMO and non-GMO food.
Calls for strictly defined, unified, federal regulations for the labeling of GMO and non-GMO food.
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HR 1599 seeks to eliminate confusion and misinformation for consumers by standardizing all labeling and safety verifications of genetically modified foods across the country.
The first “genetic modification” of crops occurred through artificial selection in breeding, for example, breeding taller crops over many generations to increase the average size of the crops. What we now classify as GMOs are developed using more complex measures to alter crops’ genetic material, such as in vitro nucleic acid editing techniques, or editing of DNA which takes place in a lab rather than in an organism, in which:
Some GMO labeling legislation additionally cites hybridization techniques as genetic modification, in which cells from different organisms are chemically fused together to create daughter cells with characteristics of both parents. Because of its resemblance to traditional plant breeding, this method is not traditionally considered genetic modification.
The introduction of foreign genetic material can provide many advantages, such as:
In 2014, the state of Vermont passed Act 120, the first state law to mandate the labeling of all food products sold intrastate that contain genetically modified components. Sponsors of HR 1599 cite the passage of Act 120 as their indication of the need for federal regulation of genetically modified food labeling, stating that the act “threatened to generate a patchwork of differing state and local labeling requirements. This patchwork would have created unnecessary confusion and cost among consumers and food manufacturers without achieving the goal of improving consumer awareness of public health.” Although two draft guidances were released by the FDA in 1992 and 2001 regarding labeling of GMO-containing foods, the agency has yet to pass any binding or complete guidances on the subject. FDA has long considered currently marketed GMO foods to be safe.
Endorsements
Opposition
The broad debate surrounding GMOs themselves is hotly contested. Proponents argue GMOs are safe for consumption and offer immense public health, agricultural and economic benefits, such as the ones listed above. Opponents cite potential risks of altering natural gene expression, including changes in the organism’s metabolism, growth rate and response to its environment, all of which could affect whether the crop is safe to consume and grow in certain ecosystems. Some worry that introduced genes could be allergenic or carry traits such as antibiotic resistance, negatively affecting human health. Thus far, however, there is no credible evidence of adverse health effects to humans resulting from consumption of GMOs. The US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has reviewed the safety of GM crops, as has the UK’s Royal Society of Medicine, the European Union, and the World Health Organization. All have concluded that GM crops pose no unique hazards to human health. The NAS is expected to release an updated report in 2016.
HR 1599 was introduced on March 25th, 2015 and was referred to the Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research and the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. It was reported by the Agriculture Committee on July 14th, 2015. The bill passed the house on July 23rd, 2015 by a vote of 275/150. It has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, who will review the bill and decide whether it should be considered by the full Senate.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held hearings in December 2014 and June 2015, during which scientists, policy makers and representatives from the food industry testified about the science, policy and economics of genetically engineered crops and their labeling. Both hearings specifically discussed the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The House Committee on Agriculture held a full committee hearing the day before HR 1599’s introduction in March 2015 to discuss the costs and impacts of mandatory labeling laws.
HR 1599 is sponsored by Mike Pompeo (R-KS-4), and included 17 original cosponsors (1). As of February 22nd, 2016, the bill had 106 total cosponsors (91R, 15D), including Republican Policy Committee Chairman Luke Messer (R-IN-6).
(1): George Butterfield Jr. (D-NC-1), David Scott (D-GA-13), Brad Ashford (D-NE-2), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-1), Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI-At-Large), Alcee Hastings (D-FL-20), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), Ed Whitfield (R-KY-1), Renee Ellmers (R-NC-2), Chris Collins (R-NY-27), Ann Wagner (R-MO-2), Kevin Cramer (R-ND-At-Large), David Valadao (R-CA-21), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4), Devin Nunes (R-CA-22) and Rod Blum (R-IA-1).
Duke SciPol, “Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (HR 1599, 114th Congress)” available at http://scipol.duke.edu/content/safe-and-accurate-food-labeling-act-2015-hr-1599-114th-congress (02/22/2016).