[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE SAFE AND ACCURATE FOOD LABELING ACT (H.R. 1599)

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2015

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, every family should have access to the 
information they need to make informed choices about the food they 
consume. For many consumers, understanding what products are considered 
genetically modified organisms (GMO) is important when buying food for 
their families. Unfortunately, right now there is no standard federal 
definition for GMO. Instead, a patchwork of different definitions 
exists, leading to confusion and misinformation.
  Consumers have the right to know how their food was produced and that 
begins with establishing a consistent, standard federal definition of 
GMO. I voted in favor of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 
1599) to provide families in Minnesota and across our country with the 
information they want. H.R. 1599 is not perfect, but it is an important 
first step to ensure families have safe and accurate labeling of 
genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  For years, I fought for a standard definition of ``gluten-free'' 
products. Additionally, last year I reaffirmed my support for the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) national voluntary certified 
``organic'' labeling system when Congress passed the 2014 Farm Bill. 
This voluntary system ensures a mother buying bread for her family can 
be confident that it is ``organic'' whether she sees this label in 
Minnesota or Vermont. Similarly, H.R. 1599 calls on USDA to establish a 
national voluntary labeling system for ``GMO-free'' products. I hope 
this federal definition and voluntary labeling system can ultimately 
help us move towards nationwide mandatory labeling for GMOs.
  Finally, H.R. 1599 instructs the Food and Drug Administration to 
create a definition for the word ``natural''. This rulemaking process, 
which will be fully transparent and open to the public, will help 
clarify one of the most confusing terms used in food marketing today.
  The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act marks the beginning, not the 
endpoint, of much-needed policy discussion on the reliable consumer 
information we all deserve. The current status quo--which does not 
provide consumers any information about GMO products--is unacceptable 
for Minnesota families and farmers. Instead of settling for no standard 
definition for GMO, I voted to continue this conversation and ensure 
families have access to the information they want about their food.
  Mr. Speaker, we all deserve accurate and safe food labels. As a 
nation, it is important that we continue this discussion and work to 
ensure that consumers have the information they need to make informed 
choices for themselves and their families.

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