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Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has cosponsored the bipartisan Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 1699), legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration to clearly label genetically engineered foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat.

“Food is a basic necessity in our everyday lives, and people have a right to know what is in the food that we eat,” said Gabbard, who delivered remarks on the House floor about the legislation Wednesday. “I have long been an advocate of labeling food containing GE products because consumers deserve honest, transparent information about their food. This legislation puts consumers first and will empower them to make informed choices for themselves and their families.”

The legislation would require labeling for GE whole foods and processed foods, including fish and seafood. The measure would direct the FDA to write new labeling standards for GE foods that are consistent with U.S. labeling standards and international standards.

More than 1.5 million Americans have filed comments with the FDA urging it to label GE foods, and national surveys have shown more than 90 percent of people support it.

The FDA already requires labeling of more than 3,000 ingredients, additives and processes, but it has resisted labels for GE foods. Changing this outdated policy would add the consumer-demanded GE food label to that robust list; a step which would not be cost-prohibitive for companies or consumers.

The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act has broad support from organizations and businesses, including the Center for Food Safety, Consumers Union, Environmental Working Group, Just Label It, the National Farmers Union, Stonyfield Farms, Consumer Federation of America, AllergyKids Foundation, National Cooperative Grocers Association, New England Farmers Union, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Center for Environmental Health, Chefs Collaborative, Label GMOs, Lundberg Family Farms, Nature’s Path, Annie’s Inc., and many others.

To read the full text of the legislation, visit: www.scribd.com/doc/137772503/G…

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