DARK Act defeated in U.S. Senate as lawmakers receive
tidal wave of calls from angry food consumers who are tired of being LIED to
about GMO in their food
(NaturalNews)
The DARK Act was defeated in the U.S. Senate today, achieving a massive victory
for consumers and also for the Environmental Working Group, which helped
organize large-scale opposition to the bill.
The DARK Act was defeated in the U.S. Senate today, achieving a massive victory
for consumers and also for the Environmental Working Group, which helped
organize large-scale opposition to the bill.
The DARK Act would have outlawed state-level GMO labeling laws nationwide,
condemning American food consumers to remaining completely in the dark over the
genetically engineered content of their food.
Natural News thanks all our readers who took
action to help defeat the DARK Act. We are fighting for your right
to know what you're eating, and with your help, we really can defeat Monsanto
and its minions like Ted Cruz. ("Monsatan's Preacher.")
Tidal wave of calls slammed Senators nationwide
I spoke to
industry insiders this morning who confirmed that the offices of many U.S. Senators
were hit hard with a "tidal wave of calls" from concerned Americans.
Even many Republican senators are starting to come around on this issue, and
GMO labeling continues to gain steam across the country as food consumers
increase their demand for honest food labels and overall food transparency.
industry insiders this morning who confirmed that the offices of many U.S. Senators
were hit hard with a "tidal wave of calls" from concerned Americans.
Even many Republican senators are starting to come around on this issue, and
GMO labeling continues to gain steam across the country as food consumers
increase their demand for honest food labels and overall food transparency.
The Environmental Working Group released a statement on the victory:
In a major win for consumers, Sen. Pat
Roberts (R-Kan.) failed to earn the votes he needed to stop debate on a bill
known to opponents as the Deny Americans the Right to Know Act, or DARK Act.
Roberts (R-Kan.) failed to earn the votes he needed to stop debate on a bill
known to opponents as the Deny Americans the Right to Know Act, or DARK Act.
According to EWG, the defeat of the DARK Act offers Congress the opportunity to
find a compromise for a national mandatory GMO labeling measure that consumers
and industry can support.
Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs, said:
"Consumers have made their voices heard to their elected representatives
in the Senate and they said clearly, 'We want the right to know more about our food.'
We are pleased that the Senate made the right decision to stop the DARK Act,
and we remain hopeful that Congressional leaders can craft a national mandatory
compromise that works for consumers and the food industry. We applaud Senators
Debbie Stabenow, Jeff Merkley, Jon Tester, Barbara Boxer and Pat Leahy for
their efforts to defeat the DARK Act."
Scott Faber vindicated after mini civil war inside the
labeling movement
The defeat of the DARK Act vindicates
Scott Faber, who was previously accused by several pro-labeling industry
insiders as siphoning money away from state ballot measures (Natural News
covered this story and quoted three industry sources). However, it is clear from today's victory that Scott Faber is
working hard for labeling at the national level, and he deserves
tremendous credit for today's victory, regardless of the previous disagreements
among labeling advocates in the "states vs. federal" debate.
Scott Faber, who was previously accused by several pro-labeling industry
insiders as siphoning money away from state ballot measures (Natural News
covered this story and quoted three industry sources). However, it is clear from today's victory that Scott Faber is
working hard for labeling at the national level, and he deserves
tremendous credit for today's victory, regardless of the previous disagreements
among labeling advocates in the "states vs. federal" debate.
It's clear that the Environmental Working Group and the Just Label It campaign
are both on the right track so far, and the EWG now tells Natural News that
they fully support the Merkley bill created by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) which
creates a national mandatory standard for GMO
labeling.
As explained by Consumers Union:
Consumers Union,
the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, today praised the introduction
of the Biotechnology Food Labeling Uniformity Act. The legislation, sponsored
by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would create a national standard for GMO
labeling and require food manufacturers to label products with GMO ingredients
via one of several options on the ingredients list section of the Nutrition
Facts Panel. Another option would give FDA the authority to develop a symbol,
in consultation with food manufacturers, which would disclose the presence of
GM ingredients on packaging.
the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, today praised the introduction
of the Biotechnology Food Labeling Uniformity Act. The legislation, sponsored
by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would create a national standard for GMO
labeling and require food manufacturers to label products with GMO ingredients
via one of several options on the ingredients list section of the Nutrition
Facts Panel. Another option would give FDA the authority to develop a symbol,
in consultation with food manufacturers, which would disclose the presence of
GM ingredients on packaging.
Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives for Consumers Union, said,
"This is what real disclosure looks like. This bill finds a way to set a
national standard and avoid a patchwork of state labeling laws while still
giving consumers the information they want and deserve about what's in their
food. This compromise offers food companies different labeling options and
ensures that all consumers – no matter where they are in the country or whether
they own a smartphone – have the information they overwhelmingly say they want.
We urge Senators to support this proposal as they move forward on GMO labeling
legislation."
Merkley's bill comes the day after the Senate Agriculture Committee voted to
move forward an anti-consumer bill that would preempt state GMO labeling laws
and direct USDA to develop duplicative standards for voluntary labeling and
promote biotechnology. The legislation, which is supported by biotech giants
and some of the country's largest food companies, is the latest attempt to
block a Vermont law requiring labeling on the package of genetically engineered
food sold in the state before it goes in to effect July 1.
Consumers Union is urging consumers to call on their lawmakers to oppose
preemption of state GMO labeling laws, and to support meaningful, mandatory
on-package labeling for GMO foods, including engineered animals like salmon and
engineered produce and processed food. To learn more, visit
ConsumersUnion.org/RightToKnow.
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