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Whether the food industry likes it or not, when it comes to GMO labeling, the “train appears to have left the station”, according to former FDA associate commissioner of foods Dr David Acheson.

Dr Acheson, who now heads up the food and import safety division at consultancy Leavitt Partners, was speaking to FoodNavigator-USA as a GMO labeling bill passed its first regulatory hurdle in Vermont (click here) and members of Congress examine a federal bill proposed by Sen Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR).

The last thing the food industry wants is 50 different laws in 50 states

He added:
“I think it’s only a matter of time before one state [GMO labeling proposal] is successful and the last thing the food industry wants is 50 different laws in 50 states, so the thinking is that if it’s going to happen, it would be better to have one standard that’s national.

“The also can’t afford to oppose it in 50 states. I think there may be an attitude of let’s just do it now [work with the FDA to create a national labeling law]
and get it over with because ultimately, we will lose [the argument against GMO labeling].

Meanwhile, global food companies are already having to navigate GMO labeling laws in other markets, he added.

“I think many food companies were hoping that after [California GMO labeling initiative]
Prop 37 was defeated, this issue would go away, but it hasn’t.

“I don’t know if the average consumer cares about this but there is a very vocal minority that’s driving change – it’s analogous to the pink slime issues”

What is the purpose of food labeling?

But while the outcome of this debate might
“appear inevitable”, he said,
“let’s not confuse consumers’ appropriate desire to know what they are eating with risk-based labeling for the purposes of public health.”

The issue for legislators is complex, however. Does there have to be a food safety risk or nutritional issue for labeling to be warranted? Or do consumers have a ‘right to know’ regardless? What is the purpose of labeling?

This issue was a constant subject of debate when he was at the FDA, said Dr Acheson, not least because there is only a limited amount of space on food labels, meaning that anything that has to be there by law should be there for a good reason.