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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree stood up today for the right of consumers to know what is in their food, as she opposed a bill that blocks labels disclosing GMO ingredients in food products.  Nearly 90% of Americans say they support such labels and they are mandatory in 64 other countries around the world.
 
"This comes down to a very simple proposition:  Do consumers have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed to their family?" Pingree said.

The bill, H.R. 1599, (dubbed the "DARK Act") would make it illegal for states to pass laws requiring GMO labeling and would block laws that have already been passed from being enforced.  Maine was the second state in the country to pass a GMO labeling law, which takes effect if five other states in the region also adopt similar legislation.
 
"I know the opponents of labeling think that consumers might be "frightened" by GMO ingredients," Pingree said on the House floor. "Do we really think consumers are too dumb to handle this information?  Do we really think 90% of Americans are wrong to want GMO products labeled?"

Pingree's amendment would have struck the dangerous parts of the bill—effectively blocking the DARK Act from taking effect—while keeping the provision that requires USDA to create a voluntary non-GMO certification program and label.

The Republican-controlled House rejected Pingree's amendment and passed theoverall bill.