DeLauro Works to Inform, Protect American Consumers

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Chairwoman of the FDA and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced the Consumers Right to Know Food Labeling Act, which would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate the labeling of genetically-modified fish. Additionally, the bill would require the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to mandate that products of cloned animals be labeled if intended for consumption.

The FDA is on the verge of announcing that genetically-modified salmon is safe to consume, but uncertainty still surrounds its safety and that of cloned animals. Studies have shown that the American public actively oppose the cloning process, and are very suspicious of genetically-modified foods. This legislation would require labeling of these products, both in supermarkets and restaurants, to alert American consumers to what they are eating and enable them to make informed purchase decisions.

"A recent Food & Water Watch survey revealed that 78 percent of Americans do not want genetically-engineered salmon to be approved and made available in stores and restaurants. It is obvious that the American public wants to be able to make informed decisions when purchasing their food and that they want to be able to differentiate cloned or genetically modified products from natural products. Because the FDA is treating these genetically modified salmon not as a food issue but as an animal drug issue, current regulations would leave the consumers unable to discern between these new modified salmon and traditional salmon," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "If FDA approves the genetically modified salmon the American public deserves to know about the truth about their food, and this legislation will ensure that they are provided with this critical information."