Food Labels
Californians will vote Nov. 6 on a measure that would make their state the first to require labels on genetically modified foods. "I would love to see this done nationally, but right now we have to depend on states to do this," Sen. Bernie Sanders told U.S. News & World Report in an article posted on Wednesday. Sanders and 54 other members of Congress earlier this year urged the Food and Drug Administration to implement food labeling on the federal level. He also offered an amendment to the farm bill that would have given states clear-cut authority to require labels. The amendment was offered after state lawmakers in Vermont considered a label law but dropped the effort after a lawsuit was threatened. On Capitol Hill, there also was strong opposition to labeling from food and agriculture industry lobbyists and Sanders' amendment was defeated 73 to 26. Nevertheless, the idea enjoys widespread popular appeal. Californians once favored Proposition 37 by a more than a 2-1 margin. More recent polls, however, give it a narrower eight-point advantage. The Los Angeles Times attributed the trend to a media blitz financed by $35 million in campaign contributions. "I would simply hope that the people in California study the issues. This is not a radical concept after all. It is being done in 49 countries around the world," Sanders said.
Watch Sanders' speech on his amendment »
