A new bill will sweep them all into oblivion under the federal rug.
It will provide less information to consumers, throw all authority onto the FDA and will paint consumers who have valid concerns as bullies and loons with false "activist claims." In other words - the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014 is supporting something that is safe - if you pipe up, you are unreasonably pushing something dangerous. The danger? A simply label change depicting a GMO. One that is considerably more humble than current and constant label changes that include "No preservatives!" "No HFCS!" "Gluten-free!" Unlike what the bill's title suggests, it means less ingredient labeling and less oversight.
But to have states make their own guidelines (in response to their constituents) is too confusing of a mish-mash according to the HR 4432's sponsor, US Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.).
His press release, published Wednesday, is already stirring up strife in its comments section. I highly recommend you read his intentions in his own words. This proposal would forbid states from requiring its food producers to inform buyers of GMOs in the ingredients labels.
Pompeo told Reuters:
To opponents, he added:We've got a number of states that are attempting to put together a patchwork quilt of food labeling requirements with respect to genetic modification of foods. That makes it enormously difficult to operate a food system. Some of the campaigns in some of these states aren't really to inform consumers but rather aimed at scaring them. What this bill attempts to do is set a standard.
You can also see by his press release, how adamant he is on his beliefs in biotech safety, and their lines about feeding the world, better nutrition and less pesticides. That belief seems to pivot on comments he made that "'there is not a single example' of anyone getting sick after eating food made with GMOs." He views labeling as fear mongering, like using the same approach of cigarette warnings, but on food.It has to date made food safer and more abundant. It has been an enormous boon to all of humanity.
Furthermore, according to Center for Food Safety, the bill will:
- Prevent states from adopting their own GE labeling laws.
- Block any attempt by states to make it illegal for food companies to put a "natural" label on products that contain GE ingredients.
- Prevent the Food and Drug Administration from requiring companies to label GE ingredients and instead continue a failed "voluntary" labeling policy.
Food makers, biotechnology and agriculture industries, of course support this bill. You can read more about it at Politico and Center For Food Safety where you can easily contact Congress.
Looking back on the foundation of our Constitution as influenced by John Locke, this document does protect our right to pursuit of health. The single most important influence that shaped the founding of the United States comes from John Locke, a 17th century Englishman who redefined the nature of government. In his Second Treatise of Government, Locke identified the basis of a legitimate government. According to Locke, a ruler gains authority through the consent of the governed. He wrote that the magistrate's power was limited to preserving a person's "civil interest", which he described as "life, liberty, HEALTH, and indolency of body; and the possession of outward things". If the government should fail to protect these rights, its citizens would have the right to overthrow that government. This idea deeply influenced Thomas Jefferson as he drafted the Declaration of Independence.
The DARK Act is unconstitutional and our government is failing miserable to protect and honor the basic rights of the people. Government officials are, however, doing a stupendous job of protecting their own pocketbooks and those of big business.