AFIA joins national coalition to push for federal GMO labeling solution

The American Feed Industry Association has joined a national effort to urge Congress to quickly seek a federal solution and establish standards for the safety and labeling of animal feeds, pet foods and human foods and beverage products made with genetically modified ingredients. More than 30 groups are part of the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food.
 
“AFIA firmly believes there should be a federal GMO labeling solution protecting consumers by ensuring the safety of both food and feed ingredients produced through the use of modern agricultural biotechnology,” said Leah Wilkinson, AFIA director of ingredients, pet food and state affairs. “If a labeling solution is not agreed upon and even a few of the pending state initiatives are successful, the feed industry’s cost of doing business goes up, on-farm production costs go up and ultimately the consumer pays the price, with no important information in hand.”

The coalition will provide policy makers, media, consumers and all stakeholders with the facts about ingredients grown through GMO technology. A federal GMO labeling solution will eliminate confusion about GMO safety and labeling laws, advance food safety by requiring the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conduct safety reviews of all new GMO traits before they are introduced into commerce, inform consumers and provide consistency, according to the coalition.

“With the vast majority of U.S.-produced corn and soybeans enhanced through biotechnology, U.S. feed products made with these genetically modified ingredients are deemed safe by FDA and have been used by the industry for more than 20 years. They are beneficial to not only the industry, but to the planet and its population as a whole,” Wilkinson said.

She said that while AFIA recognizes the need for a consistent national GMO labeling solution, it is strongly against labeling laws set by political campaigns or state and local legislatures.

“AFIA recommends FDA determine whether labeling is necessary as it is most in tune with our nation’s animal feed and food systems,” Wilkinson said. “Such a solution determined by FDA will help the industry to safely and continuously use evolving production technology to help meet global needs.”