Farm Bureau comments on The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act

The American Farm Bureau and Montana Farm Bureau are giving a cautious thumbs-up to H.R. 4432, The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.

“As the nation’s largest general farm organization, the American Farm Bureau represents farmers and ranchers who use every type of agricultural production system to provide the safest food possible both here in the U.S. and abroad,” noted AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Our farmers and ranchers are encouraged by the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), G.K. Butter-field (D-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) for introducing H.R. 4432, The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. This measure will make it clear that the Food and Drug Administration should be the nation’s foremost authority on the use and labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients.

Bruce Wright, vice president, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, said, “This seems to be a good bill because it defines labeling. Just because a product contains bio-tech ingredients does not mean it has to have a label. However, companies can label if they so choose, as long as they are factual in their claims. Remember there is no scientific evidence that non-GMO foods are healthier than bioengineering food.”

Wright said it’s important that the FDA can specify any special labeling the agency believes it is necessary to protect public health and safety. “It’s good that one agency will be able to oversee the safety and labeling of food. This will eliminate the confusing regulations that come about on a state-by-state basis.”

The Bozeman farmer explained that Farm Bureau is committed to giving the American public the safest and most nutritious food products possible.

Stallman said the bill will prevent misinformation from spreading to legislation. “The GMO labeling ballot initiatives and legislative efforts that many state lawmakers and voters are facing are geared toward making people wrongly fear what they’re eating and feeding their children. They undermine the public’s understanding of the many benefits of biotechnology in feeding a growing population and keeping costs down. With the introduction of this legislation and the leadership of the bill’s sponsors, Farm Bureau looks forward to a national-level discussion that will affirm FDA’s role in assuring consumers about GMO safety and reducing the confusion that would result from a patchwork of state labeling initiatives.”