Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, also known as ``the DARK Act.'' One of my concerns is that this bill blocks the FDA from creating a national mandatory GMO labeling system.

The current voluntary labeling system is not providing consumers with the information they need because only 2 percent of the products on the shelves have voluntarily submitted to the non-GMO labeling process.

It is apparent that mandatory labeling is sorely needed, such as the kind required by Mr. DeFazio, the gentleman from Oregon's bill, the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act.

In addition, what has happened to the outcry for states' rights from the other side of the aisle? This bill preempts States from passing their own GMO labeling laws.

This would essentially invalidate the will of the people and, in so doing, limit a State's ability to respond to the individual needs of its constituents.

There have been many discussions and conversations surrounding this bill. One such discussion has been extremely troubling, debasing, and scornful. Specifically, there are some who say that poor people don't care what is in their food, nor do they care what they eat.

Let me be clear: I don't care whether you are wealthy or poor. All Americans deserve to know what is in their food. Poor people are, first and foremost, human beings. They are not marginal subordinates in a democratic civil society.

Poor people deserve the same respect and consideration as the wealthy. Despite what some may think, poor people do care about what food they eat, and they should be able to choose what they put in their bodies.

I will say it again. All Americans deserve to know what is in their food. I ask my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 1599, the DARK Act.

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