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ID HJM006

JM

Status

Engrossed

3/5/2015

Primary Sponsor

Agricultural Affairs Committee

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2015 Regular Session

AI Summary

HJM006 Summary

  • Idaho Legislature urges Congress to enact bipartisan legislation establishing the FDA as the sole federal authority for uniform food labeling standards related to genetically engineered foods based on scientific health, safety, and nutrition standards.

  • Asserts that 70-80% of foods consumed in the United States contain genetically engineered ingredients and that major regulatory agencies including the FDA, WHO, and American Medical Association have determined GE foods are as safe as non-GE foods.

  • Opposes a patchwork of state and local mandatory GE labeling laws, arguing such regulations would impose costly changes to manufacturing, labeling, warehousing, and distribution that would increase food prices.

  • Requests the FDA establish federal voluntary labeling standards for companies wanting to identify products with or without GE ingredients and define the term "natural" for consistent food labeling.

  • Directs the House Chief Clerk to forward the memorial to Congress leadership, Idaho's congressional delegation, and the FDA Commissioner.

Legislative Description

Stating findings of the Legislature and urging the Congress of the United States to enact bipartisan legislation that reaffirms the FDA as the primary authority in uniform food labeling related to genetic engineering, based on scientific standards regarding health, safety and nutrition; urging that existing FDA labeling rules and guidance, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program provide sufficient standards to address consumer interest in food production practices through the use of truthful and non-misleading voluntary labeling; and urging the commissioner of the FDA to adopt policies, regulations and rules setting standards to address consumer interest in food production practices through voluntary labeling.

AGRICULTURE

Last Action

Delivered to Secretary of State at 10:48 a.m. on March 19, 2015

3/20/2015

Committee Referrals

Agricultural Affairs3/6/2015

Full Bill Text

No bill text available