House Bill Would Ban Mandatory GMO Food Labeling By States

"WASHINGTON — A bill preventing states from requiring labels on foods containing genetically modified ingredients easily passed a House committee Tuesday, but the legislation has drawn widespread opposition from many Democrats and consumer groups and faces an uncertain future.

The voice vote by the House Agriculture Committee marks the first time a panel has acted on the measure, initially introduced during the last Congress by Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan. While a vote on the House floor is expected later this month, it is unclear whether the Senate will consider the bill.

The Pompeo legislation would ban states from adopting individual labeling laws and override any that are in place, instead giving food manufacturers the option to voluntarily tout their chips, soups, cereals and other items as lacking the ingredients."

Christopher Doering reports for USA TODAY July 14, 2015.