US Senate passes GMO labelling bill

The US Senate passed a legislation that requires food companies to label their products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

This measure will override existing labelling laws in US states.

Vermont has already introduced a measure that makes it mandatory for companies to display GMO labels on products.

The S.764 bill passed by the Senate will now be put before the the House of Representatives.

The Senate voted 63-30 for the bill.

National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling was quoted by Freshfruitportal.com as saying: “The Roberts-Stabenow agreement ensures consumers have the access to product information they deserve without stigmatising this safe, proven technology that America’s farmers value."

According to this measure, food companies will have to use words, pictures and a barcode to display GMO content. The barcode can also be scanned with smartphones.

The US Agriculture Department (USDA) will decide which ingredients fall under the genetically modified category.

The bill was sponsored by Kansas Republican Senator Pat Roberts and Michigan Democrat Senator Debbie Stabenow.