Campbell Soup Company has expressed support for the enactment of federal legislation to establish a mandatory labeling standard for foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The company believes it is necessary for the federal government to provide a national standard for labeling requirements to better inform consumers about this issue.
It says it will advocate for federal legislation that would require all foods and beverages regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be clearly and simply labeled for GMOs.
Campbell is also supportive of a national standard for non-GMO claims made on food packaging.
As a result of its decision to support mandatory national GMO labeling, the company will withdraw from all efforts led by coalitions and groups opposing such measures.
The company continues to oppose a patchwork of state-by-state labeling laws, which it believes are incomplete, impractical and create unnecessary confusion for consumers.
It is optimistic a federal solution can be established in a reasonable amount of time if all the interested stakeholders cooperate.
However, if that is not the case, Campbell says it is prepared to label all of its US products for the presence of ingredients that were derived from GMOs, not just those required by pending legislation in Vermont.
The company would seek guidance from the FDA and approval by USDA.
