International Dairy Foods Association applauds passage of GMO bill

J. David Carlin, the senior vice president of Legislative Affairs and Economic Policy at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released a statement July 8 applauding the Senate's passage of bipartisan legislation to disclose a standard for labeling foods made with genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).

"Last night's (July 7) bipartisan Senate vote of 63 to 30 moves the country one step closer to implementation of a nationwide disclosure system for GMOs that would bring much-needed consistency and additional transparency to the marketplace,” Carlin said. “This bill would provide consumers with access to more product information than ever before without stigmatizing a safe and proven technology that is a central part of modern food production.”

The legislation, S.764, was written by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

"If passed by the House, the legislation would establish a federal framework for labeling and prevent a state-by-state patchwork of mandates that would only confuse consumers and increase food prices,” Carlin said. “We commend the long list of senators who voted to pass the bill and move it forward. We now ask the U.S. House to take up the bill next week and send it to President Obama for his signature."

The IDFA represents dairy manufacturing and marketing industries as well as their suppliers which comprises 550 companies. Within the IDFA are three organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation, the National Cheese Institute and the International Ice Cream Association that represent more than 85 percent of milk, cultured products, ice cream and frozen desserts made and marketed in the United States.