The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act has passed the U.S. House on a 275-150 vote, another step to ensuring that farmers will be able to use the safe technology, GMOs. The news was welcomed by a variety of politicians and ag groups.

“For the past two years we have worked hard to defend our farmers’ right to use the amazing advances in biotechnology that allow them to increase yields, while reducing water and pesticide use,” stated Rep. [Mike Pompeo (R-KS)]. “These genetically engineered products are not only providing safe food for Kansans, but will feed the next billion people across the world. Through the course of several hearings on GMOs, along with the hundreds of safety studies that have been done over the last 20 years, the argument over the safety of GMOs has now been put to rest.”

House Agriculture Biotechnology subcommittee chair Rodney Davis of Illinois says the bill allows labeling based on science.

“This will allow for an open, transparent public process so that the FDA can establish such standards based on the facts, the science and the input received,” said Davis.

The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food called the vote a victory for consumer choice, science and fact-based food labeling.

“Today’s vote is the result of members of Congress standing up for science, common-sense and the well-being of their constituents,” said CFSAF spokesperson Claire Parker. “We offer a wholehearted thank you to members who voted yes today and advanced this legislation that protects consumer choice, food safety and accurate and informative food labeling.”

The American Soybean Association (ASA) joined the praise for the positive vote for the bill, which establishes a national, voluntary framework for the labeling of foods either containing or not containing genetically engineered ingredients.

“The passage of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act is a significant victory for the freedom of soybean farmers to make the most of the broad range of advances that biotechnology provides for our industry,” said Wade Cowan, ASA President and a soybean farmer from Brownfield, Texas.