Jul 29, 2016

Law Ends Uncertainty, Confusion and Interstate Commerce Limits

JULY 29, 2016 – ARLINGTON, VA – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) issued the following statement on President Obama signing S. 764 into law, a bi-partisan, bi-cameral action that sets in place one national standard for GMO disclosure that brings consistency, certainty and an end to restrictions on interstate commerce facing retailers, manufacturers and customers.

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin said, “I am proud of the food retail industry’s role in helping get this legislation approved on Capitol Hill and now signed into law by President Obama. I am convinced it will help circumvent further consumer confusion on the already misunderstood and complex topic of GMOs. 

“I am grateful that this law will help avoid further disruption in the interstate commerce of food products.  And I am encouraged that this law allows our industry to move beyond the traditional label and toward exploration of new and unprecedented ways of providing our customers with the information they need in making the wisest food choices for themselves and their families. In addition to the President’s role in signing it into law, we are most appreciative of the part U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and his team played during critical times in the legislative history of this law and will now play in implementation.

“The journey for this legislation from introduction on Capitol Hill to ratification in the Oval Office was a long and bumpy one, but this law will go a long way in helping us better achieve our mission of successfully feeding families and enriching lives.

"We sincerely extend our thanks to the President, Secretary Vilsack, and leaders in Congress who worked so diligently on a compromise, especially Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Democrat Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), as well as House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Democrat Collin Peterson (D-MN)."