The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is calling on Congress to pass a uniform national labeling law.  Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the GGMA, reminded lawmakers that the stigmatization of on-package labels will create confusion, an increase in consumer coast, and a shift away from biotech crops.  Moving forward as we are  now will turn the clock back on American agriculture, she said at the 2016 GMA Science Forum.

“The Senate needs to act and act quickly, or farmers may lose access to biotech, more food companies may be forced to reformulate, and consumers will face higher food costs,” Bailey said. “The time to act is now, and GMA stands ready to work with Senate leaders in crafting a bipartisan compromise. Our constitution gave Congress the authority to regulate interstate commerce for the benefit of all Americans.  There is no greater need for the Senate to exercise that authority than the crisis now facing our food supply chain.”

These statements were part of her address on the state of the food, beverage, and con super product companies use science and innovation to benefit consumers.

The GMA Science Forum has educated scientists and decision makers within the industry for nearly a decade, and this year’s event provides attendees with multiple views and actions to be taken in order to ensure policies, laws, and regulations are based on sound, up-to-date science and to achieve compliance with the changing regulatory environment.

This event brings together an impressive group of acclaimed experts and industry leaders to keep the science community informed of emerging science, innovation, safety, and legal requirements in a wide array of areas. Science Forum sessions include diverse topics such as food safety, government regulation, global issues, chemical ingredients, nutrition and labeling, biotechnology, and innovation.

This year’s Science Forum theme was “Connecting Sound Science with Sound Policy.”  The event highlighted the effects of government policies that are not grounded in science.  Four featured sessions looked at various aspects of innovation, such as “How Innovation in Biotechnology Can Feed the World,” “The Importance of Innovation to the Wellbeing of Consumers,” “How Innovation Imporves Food and Consumer Product Safety,” and “Using Innovation to Improve Transparency.”