Ernst Applauds Signing of Bipartisan Biotechnology Labeling Bill into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, applauded the signing of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard into law, which is bipartisan legislation that creates a national standard for labeling of food containing biotechnology ingredients.

“Since I was sworn into the United States Senate, we have been working towards a solution for the labeling of foods containing biotechnology ingredients. I am pleased that this commonsense legislation has now been signed into law which will provide clarity to our farmers, food manufacturers and consumers, and ensure access to safe and affordable food.

“Biotechnology products are critical to Iowa’s food economy, and benefit our workers and consumers alike. With the national food labeling standard, we are avoiding a patchwork of state labeling laws that could have resulted in over $1,000 a year in increased food costs for hardworking Iowa families.

“I am glad to have worked on this important bipartisan legislation with my colleagues on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, and I am pleased that it has now become law.”   

About the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard:

• Immediately preempts the Vermont labeling law, as well as all other state biotech labeling laws.
• Implements mandatory labeling requirements within two years, with the options of text, symbol, or electronic links.
• Meat, poultry, and egg products are exempted from the labeling requirements when they are the main ingredient. Additionally, it prohibits any food product from an animal to be classified as a biotechnology ingredient solely because the animal may have eaten food with biotechnology ingredients.

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