The Natural Products Association (NPA) Board of Directors has endorsed the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, which would require labeling of foods containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients so consumers can make educated decisions about products they buy. NPA’s endorsement of the bill came three months after the association called for all foods containing GM ingredients to be accurately labeled under a national uniform standard. The bipartisan legislation was introduced in April by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), along with co-sponsors Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK).

“We feel strongly that this bill is in line with our guiding principles on GMO labeling,” said John Shaw, executive director and CEO of NPA, “and that it will lead the country on the path toward transparency that Americans are demanding.”

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), Silver Spring, MD, has also adopted a new policy on GE/GMO labeling, advocating for a federal regulation for voluntary disclosure of the absence of GMOs in food and dietary supplements. AHPA plans to work to enact this regulation through federal legislation or through rulemaking.

According to AHPA President Michael McGuffin, “AHPA’s members have diverse views when it comes to labeling products to disclose genetically engineered ingredients. The AHPA board’s action signals support for the broadly expressed consumer interest in making informed purchase decisions when it comes to GE/GMO foods, while recognizing a ‘voluntary disclosure of absence’ approach as the best regulatory option to accomplish this.”

The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), Salt Lake City, UT, has formally endorsed a market-driven approach to the labeling of GMOs. Recognizing the issue of whether to require mandatory labeling of foods, beverages and supplements containing ingredients produced with GMOs is highly contentious, UNPA and its members support the labeling of products containing such ingredients and the rights of consumers to know how their foods and supplements are sourced. UNPA is an active supporter and participant in the retailer-initiated Non-GMO Project. However, UNPA said it does not see pending national legislation or state-by-state laws as viable solutions.

“In principle, we support the expression of citizens in states to drive a non-GMO agenda, with the understanding that if a number of state labeling initiatives are successful, it could create a complicated regulatory problem for well-intended companies that want to comply,” said UNPA President Loren Israelsen. “We believe that a consumer-driven market solution is the most efficient way to address the GMO-labeling issue, whether it manifests as a non-GMO or contains-GMO label structure.”