Alexander Votes to Establish a National Standard for Informing Consumers about Bioengineered Food

WASHINGTON, July 7 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today voted for legislation to create a national standard for bioengineered food labeling.

“I commend Senator Roberts and Senator Stabenow for reaching a compromise consensus which keeps American consumers informed, and provides much needed clarity to farmers, food manufacturers and producers on how to label bioengineered food. I voted for this legislation because it prevents a patchwork of 50 different state labeling laws on bioengineered food, which is good news for Tennessee's consumers, farmers and food producers.”

Background:

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts’ (R-Kan.) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow’s (D-Mich.) compromise legislation to establish a national bioengineered food disclosure standard is a solution for American families, farmers, and food manufacturers that combats the enormous cost and complexity of a patchwork of implemented and proposed state bioengineered labeling laws.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration are charged with ensuring that food, including bioengineered food, is safe and properly labeled for American consumers. Bioengineering helps farmers by reducing production costs, controlling for insects and pests, safely managing weeds, and safeguarding crops against disease. There are over a thousand food and agriculture organizations who support this legislation, including the American Farm Bureau Federation.

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For access to this release and Chairman Alexander’s other statements, click here.