About this episode
Cara Santa Maria joins Jen to discuss a House of Representatives passed bill which creates a national system for labeling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and prohibits states from enacting their own GMO labeling laws. Follow Cara on Twitter: @CaraSantaMaria Like Cara on Facebook: ScienceCara Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! The Bill H.R. 1599: Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 Allows the Federal government to require labels for genetically modified plants if the government determines there is a difference in nutrition, allergic reactions, or to protect public health. Prohibits the sale of non-regulated genetically modified plants unless the Secretary of Heath and Human Services certifies that the food is safe for humans and animals. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to publish a list of and information discovered about each non-regulated genetically modified plant that has been approved for sale on a public website. Applies to imported food Defines "non-regulated genetically engineered plant" as one contains genetic material from a different species or has been modified through DNA altering techniques. Prohibits States from creating or continuing "any requirement" that is different from the regulations created by this bill. Allows private companies to certify whether genetically modified plants are present in food products. Creates a voluntary program for labeling genetically modified foods. To qualify as Non-GMO, the seed must not be genetically modified and the crop must be separated during growth, harvesting, storage, and transportation. For livestock, the food fed to the livestock must not have contained any genetically modified products. The labels cannot imply that Non-GMO foods are safer or better than GMO foods. Anyone who uses the Non-GMO label on GMO foods will be fined $10,000 or less. Each day the violation occurs will be considered a separate violation. Passed the House of Representatives 275-150 Sponsored by Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas 37 Pages House Rules Committee hearing on HR 1599 Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Labeling Genetically Modified Foods, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, June 18, 2015. Witnesses: Rick Blasgen: President and CEO Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Gregory Jaffe: Director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Biotechnology Project YouTube: What's a GMO? from Jimmy Kimmel Live, October 9, 2014. Additional Information Joe Rogan Experience #655 with GMO scientist Kevin Folta Download the episode on iTunes Upcoming Meet-Up Hang out with Jen at the Purple Onion at Kells on December 3rd Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations