The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food and 46 national organizations sent a letter to Congress requesting a uniform, national labeling standard for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The letter comes as agriculture and business groups continue to urge key House and Senate leaders to include a federal preemption of state food labeling laws in the omnibus appropriations bill to be voted on in the days ahead. The letter notes that state labeling mandates are inconsistent with both established labeling precedent and an overwhelming scientific consensus regarding the safety of GMOs.

Vermont’s labeling mandate goes into effect next July. This law will cause higher food prices and more confusing labels for American families at the grocery store. To prevent this from happening Congress will need to act quickly.

“It is imperative that Congress take action now to prevent a costly and confusing patchwork of state labeling laws from taking effect next year and spreading across the country. Congress must include language in the Omnibus Appropriations bill to ensure that food companies, farmers, ranchers, and consumers won’t face the significant increased costs of state GMO labeling laws,” the letter stated.

This previous July the House passed such a bill with significant bipartisan support. Both chambers of Congress have also voted down mandatory GMO labeling proposals.

You can read the full letter here, as well as see the list of food and agriculture industry organizations who have signed the letter.