WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved legislation that for the first time would require food packages nationwide to carry labels listing genetically modified ingredients.
Thursday’s vote was 63-30 for the bipartisan measure. The measure’s fate is uncertain in the House, which has voted to make the labeling voluntary.
The Senate bill would require foods with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, to carry any of three types of labeling: words, a symbol or an electronic code readable by smartphone.
Advocates for labeling and the food industry have wanted to find a national solution to avoid a state-by-state patchwork of laws.
The food industry supports the Senate bill. Many labeling proponents say the labels should be easily readable by consumers without a smartphone and complain that the measure lacks penalties for not complying.
