FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2015

Contact: Katherine Paul, Organic Consumers Association, katherine@organicconsumers.org, 207.653.3090

USDA Develops Government Certification Program that Creates Burden for Producers of Non-GMO Foods

FINLAND, Minn—The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) today responded to an Associated Press article reporting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed a new government certification and labeling program for foods that are free of genetically modified ingredients.

“This is yet another gift to the biotech industry,” said Ronnie Cummins, OCA’s international director. “Instead of requiring the manufacturers of GMO foods to label their products, the USDA wants to penalize producers of non-GMO foods by making them pay for a label to prove their products are GMO-free. If we follow the biotech industry’s talking point that the cost of GMO labels would be passed on to consumers, are we now going to force consumers to pay more to avoid GMO food products—products whose safety has been called into question by hundreds of scientists and doctors? Instead of the other way around?”

Cummins continued, “We already have a good, third party independently verified non-GMO certification process in the USA, in place for over a decade. It’s called ‘USDA Organic’ and it prohibits the use of GMOs. Furthermore, for foods in transition to USDA Organic, or foods that may have been inadvertently contaminated by GMOs, we have a lab verified and verifiable labels such as ‘Non-GMO Project.'”

“Consumers, more than 90 percent of whom want mandatory GMO labeling laws, should be outraged that their tax dollars will be used to support a program that puts the burden of identifying non-GMO ingredients on food manufacturers whose products are GMO-free, while letting the manufacturers of GMO foods off the hook,” Cummins said.

From the AP:

The certification is the first of its kind and would be voluntary — and companies would have to pay for it. If approved, the foods would be able to carry a “USDA Process Verified” label along with a claim that they are free of GMOs.

The new program mirrors the one proposed by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) as part of HR 1599, the bill he is pushing on behalf of the Grocery Manufacturers Association which is intended to preempt states’ rights to pass mandatory GMO labeling laws.

“The industry’s so-far unsuccessful attempt to stop Vermont’s GMO labeling law, Act 120, from taking effect July 1, 2016, has the biotech industry-loving USDA in a panic,” said Cummins. “This unnecessary, and unfair program, will be used as a desperate ploy to convince lawmakers in those states with GMO labeling bills in play, that they do not need to pass these important consumer-protection laws.”

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The Organic Consumers Fund is a 501(c)4 allied organization of the Organic Consumers Association, focused on grassroots lobbying and legislative action.