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Mars to label GMOs, joining competitors
By Philip Brasher
© Copyright Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2016 - Candy-maker Mars Inc. is joining the ranks of food industry giants who say they will start complying with Vermont's first-in-the-nation GMO labeling requirements that take effect in July.
The Mars announcement is not dated but according to a company spokesman was posted on Friday, the same day as a comes on the heels of a similar one from General Mills Inc. The Senate broke for a two-week recess last Thursday unable to resolve a dispute over legislation that would block states from imposing biotech labeling requirements.
Campbell Soup announced in January that it would start labeling products with biotech ingredients.
The Mars announcement could increase pressure on the Senate to reach an agreement on national disclosure standards, although the company's statement notably doesn't mention the Senate debate. The company said it was “committed to being transparent with our consumers so they can understand what's in the products they love.”
The announcement goes on to say that to comply with the Vermont law, “Mars is introducing clear, on-pack labeling on our products that contain GM ingredients nationwide.”
Mars also affirms the safety of genetically engineered ingredients, saying that biotech food “has been studied extensively and judged safe by a broad range of regulatory agencies, scientists, health professionals, and other experts around the world.”
Advocates of mandatory on-package labeling are applauding the announcements.
“This is yet another step forward in what has been a long march towards greater transparency,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs for the Environmental Working Group.
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“We are confident that by labeling genetically engineered ingredients, Mars, General Mills, Campbell's and other companies will maintain the trust of Americans who want the right to know whether their food contains GMOs. As more companies take this step, we hope Congress will see the benefit of crafting a national GMO labeling solution that works for both industry and consumers.”
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