The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food issued the following statement in response to the decision by Campbell Soup Company to label products made with GMOs.

(Washington, D.C. – January 8, 2016) “While individual companies are free to make labeling decisions that are best for their businesses, it remains the overwhelming consensus that on-package labeling of foods made with GMOs is unnecessary, inherently misleading and will drive up food prices for consumers, with low-income Americans being particularly hard hit. The Food and Drug Administration recently rejected a citizen’s petition calling for mandatory on-package labeling of GMOs, stating that GMOs are safe and mandatory labeling is therefore unnecessary. Mandatory labeling was also overwhelmingly rejected by both the U.S. House and Senate.

“Food, beverage and consumer product companies are committed to advancing transparency and are moving forward with SmartLabel™, a modern, easy-to-use solution that will give consumers access to more information than ever before, including GMO information on up to 20,000 products by 2017. That number could triple if Congress provides a more structured framework for GMO disclosure and we are committed to working with leaders of both parties to make that happen early this year.

“CFSAF has been urging Congress to take needed action to provide for a national uniform solution to a patchwork of state laws relative to GMO labeling. There is wide agreement on the urgent need for Congress to act on a bipartisan solution to avoid the economic costs of the Vermont law that will be shared throughout the industry—from producers to consumers. We stand ready to work with Congressional leaders to find a bipartisan solution and urge Congress to act as soon as possible to enact a national uniform solution.”

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About the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food
The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food is dedicated to providing policy makers, media, consumers and all stakeholders with the facts about ingredients grown through GM technology. We are also an advocate for common sense policy solutions that will only further enhance the safety of the GM crops and protect the vital role they play in today’s modern global food supply chain. The coalition is comprised of American farmers and representatives from a diverse group of industry and non-governmental organizations. IDFA is a member of the coalition.