WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers wanting to know if their foods contain genetically modified ingredients will be able to find out for the first time.
Congress sent legislation to President Barack Obama on Thursday that would require most food packages to carry a text label, a symbol or an electronic code readable by smartphone that indicates whether the food contains genetically modified ingredients, or GMOs.
The Agriculture Department would have two years to write the rules.
The White House says Obama will sign the bill. The measure would pre-empt a Vermont law that kicked in earlier this month. The House passed the legislation 306-117. Senators passed it last week.
The food industry supports the legislation. Many labeling advocates do not, arguing that many consumers won’t be able to read electronic labels.
