Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, I rise to urge my colleagues to support the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling measure before us.

This legislation, I understand, creates a great deal of angst among various supporters and opponents. We have heard that. But it also creates a uniform, science-based labeling standard. I think that is a move forward.

It also creates Federal regulations for the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture to remain preeminent authorities in food safety and labeling, just as it has been for decades.

Additionally, it creates a national GMO-free certification program so consumers who choose to buy non-GMO foods have the ability to do so without the higher prices or the misleading labeling.

This legislation does not reject consumers' rights to choose. While the opponents of this measure wish it would do other things, it does not. I think it is a balanced attempt.

Furthermore, the voters of California, as many of you may know, recently, in proposition 37, had an opportunity to put in GMO labeling. Mr. Chairman, 42 percent said ``yes,'' and 58 percent of the voters of California said ``no.''

I urge we support this legislation.

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