United States Policy
Labeling
Government Endorsement of Scientific Research on GMOs
GMO vs. Domestic Foods
Tracking and Evaluation Post-Market
- There are no national labeling laws for GMOs in the U.S.
- Individual states have tried to pass state laws on labeling.
- On November 5, 2013, Washington state bill, I-522 to mandate the labeling of GMO products in Washington, was voted on but defeated by a 51 – 49 vote
- As of June 2013, only the northeastern states of Maine and Connecticut have established GMO labeling laws
Government Endorsement of Scientific Research on GMOs
- The FDA conducts inspections of GMOs before they are released into the market but does not continue to trace them post-market unless health complications occur
- The U.S. endorses scientific research of GMOs by employing a group of scientists in the FDA to study them
GMO vs. Domestic Foods
- FDA considers all GMOs “substantially equivalent” to domestic foods
- GMOs sit on the same grocery store shelves as domestic foods without any straightforward differentiation
Tracking and Evaluation Post-Market
- The U.S. approves marketability of most GMOs on a pre-market basis by consulting GMO companies.