Genetically engineered salmon created by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. has been given market approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency is seeking comment on labeling guidance documents for companies that make and sell food items containing the genetically engineered product. AquaBounty says that because the U.S. currently imports over 95 percent of the … Read more
Vermont’s attorney general has asked a federal district court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and other food industry groups over a new Vermont law that requires all food made with genetically modified organisms to be labeled as such. “The State’s motion makes the case that Vermont’s labeling law withstands all five challenges … Read more
A new bill to label genetically engineered (GE) foods in California was introduced last week into the California senate. The bill is backed by the Center for Food Safety and other food safety and consumer advocates. It’s sponsored by a coalition called Californians for GE Food Labeling. CFS west coast director Rebecca Spector said in … Read more
The Center for Food Safety is criticizing the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) for trying to block states from mandating labeling of genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GMO) foods. GMA just announced the formation of a group called “Coalition for Safe Affordable Food” that is comprised of chemical groups, big food corporations, and biotechnology lobbyists. … Read more
The “Monsanto Protection Act” has been removed from the Senate Continuing Resolution appropriations bill, which funds the government for another three months past September 30, 2013. The U.S. House added the rider to the version they sent to the Senate. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) said in a statement, “The Monsanto Protection Act is bad … Read more
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is introducing an alternative short term government funding bill today that would repeal the so-called “Monsanto Protection Act.” Last week the House passed a Continuing Resolution that would fund the government for three months beyond the deadline of September 30, 2013, and also extended a rider that guarantees agrichemical companies can … Read more
An export shipment of alfalfa from Washington state was rejected after it tested positive for contamination from genetically engineered (GE) herbicide-resistant alfalfa. The U.S. is the primary supplier of alfalfa to Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries which have banned GMO foods or require labeling of the product. The market was valued at $1.25 billion … Read more
The Vermont House of Representatives became the first legislative body in the country to pass a bill requiring all genetically engineered (GE) foods to be labeled as such with its passage of H112 by a vote of 99-42 on May 10. Because the vote came near the end of this session, it’s likely that that next step, … Read more
Whole Foods, Aldi and Trader Joe’s are among the retailers who are saying no to selling genetically engineered salmon sold at their stores. The retailers are part of “Campaign for Genetically Engineered (GE)-Free Seafood,” a coalition of consumer, health, food safety and fishing groups committed to preventing genetically engineered seafood from entering the marketplace. The coalition is asking … Read more