US Senator have reached a bipartisan deal for mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in packaged foods across the country.
The proposal was introduced by Senate Agricultural Committee members Sen. Pat Roberts, R- Kansas, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, R-Michigan.
The deal comes just a week before a Vermont law becomes effective. The state had passed stringent rule in May 2014 regarding the labeling of GMOs by food manufactures.
Stabenow said in a statement: "This bipartisan bill is a win for consumers and families.
"For the first time ever, consumers will have a national, mandatory label for food products that contain genetically modified ingredients."
However, the deal reached by the Senators has some relaxations for GMO labeling. The legislation would provide three options for the food companies producing genetically modified products.
Companies may use one of the options which include text on the package, a symbol, or a QR code that directs consumers to a web page.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will have two years to work out the particulars to be included in the labeling after the legislation is passed.
However, these exemptions were not included in the Vermont regulation, which becomes effective from 1 July.
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) international director Ronnie Cummins said: "Today, Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) reached a deal that tramples on the rights of consumers, and the rights of states like Vermont to protect their own citizens.
"Instead, the Senate appears poised to pass a bill clearly intended to serve the interests of Monsanto and the Grocery Manufacturers Association."
"The anti-consumer bill unveiled by Stabenow and Roberts, bought and paid for by Big Food corporations, nullifies Vermont's mandatory GMO labeling law, and replaces it with a law that replaces the requirement for clear, on package labels, with a convoluted, inconvenient and discriminatory scheme involving barcodes and 1-800 numbers."
Swiss food company Nestle has applauded the bipartisan deal reached by the senators.
Nestlé USA chairman and CEO Paul Grimwood said: "We've been looking for a clear and consistent way to disclose GMO ingredients to consumers who rightfully want to know what is in their food and how their food is made."
