May 21, 2018

US House committee approves amendment requiring genetically engineered salmon to be labeled

The [House Appropriations Committee] ... approved, over a handful of objections, an amendment that would subject genetically engineered salmon to the GMO disclosure law passed by Congress in 2016, for which USDA has recently proposed regulations.

Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, introduced the amendment, saying it’s necessary in order to prevent consumer confusion. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been particularly vocal in trying to have FDA label GE salmon, which has yet to be commercialized in the United States.

“Several attempts have been made in the last few years to allow FDA to also label salmon, and that would undermine current law, it would undermine the USDA’s role in labeling, and would cause confusion for consumers,” Young said.

“Consumers from my region, whether you’re a mom or a professional chef, have said they want to be sure that when they buy a piece of salmon, they’re confident that it’s wild-caught and not frankenfish,” [Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash.] said, using the pejorative word to describe GE salmon. “Current labeling standards would allow these fish to be labeled with a tiny QR code that provides really zero information on the package.”

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., responded: “I respect my colleagues, but frankenfish? Really?” The amendment passed by voice vote.


By:  Steve Davies
Source: Genetic Literacy Project