Bill Text: NJ AR239 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges enactment of "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015."
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-11-09 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [AR239 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR239-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges enactment of "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the enactment of the federal "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015."
Whereas, Consumers are interested and invested in knowing information about the foods they eat every day, from the source or origin of the food to the nutritional facts and composition of the food; and
Whereas, Certain foods and products include "bioengineered organisms," commonly referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are plants containing genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques rather than through the use of conventional breeding techniques; and
Whereas, In March 2015, Representative Pompeo and many other members of Congress introduced H.R. 1599, the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015"; and
Whereas, A provision under the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015" allows those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so through an accredited certification process established by the Secretary of Agriculture; and
Whereas, Enactment of the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015" would avert inconsistency resulting from a patchwork of state labeling laws, while providing clarity and transparency in food labeling, supporting innovation, and keeping food affordable; and
Whereas, Under the bill, the food safety role of the United States Food and Drug Administration would be preserved and affirmed and the general public's appetite for knowing the contents of their food would be satiated; and
Whereas, It is the intent of the sponsors of the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015" to ensure that America's farmers will continue to be able to innovate and improve the quality and quantity of their crops and provide nutritious, affordable food on families' tables both in the United States and across the world; and
Whereas, It is in the public interest, of the citizens of the State of New Jersey and this great nation, to improve consumer food product awareness through accurate, standardized, and transparent labeling and to support the important work of farmers; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The United States Congress is respectfully urged to support and pass, and the President to sign into law, H.R. 1599 of 2015, the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015."
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President and Vice President of the United States of America, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, every sponsor of H.R. 1599 of 2015, the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015," and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges Congress to pass, and the President to sign into law, the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015."
Certain foods and products include "bioengineered organisms," commonly referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are plants containing genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques rather than through the use of conventional breeding techniques.
Introduced in March 2015 by Representative Pompeo, H.R. 1599, the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015," would allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so through an accredited certification process developed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Enactment of H.R. 1599 would avert inconsistency resulting from a patchwork of state labeling laws, while providing clarity and transparency in food labeling, supporting innovation, and keeping food affordable. Additionally, H.R. 1599 would preserve and affirm the food safety role of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
