NGA Applauds Senate For Bipartisan Vote To Advance A National Food Labeling Solution
July 7, 2016 | 2 min to read
ARLINGTON, VA – The National Grocers Association (NGA) applauded the U.S. Senate for invoking cloture on S. 764, a bill that includes important reforms to biotechnology labeling by creating a national, uniform labeling standard for all foods made with genetically engineered (GE) ingredients and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A vote on cloture is a procedural vote to end debate on a piece of legislation and allows for the Senate to bring the legislative measure for a vote on final passage.
NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin stated: “NGA applauds those Senators who voted in favor of advancing a national, uniform food labeling standard for foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. Operating under a patchwork of state labeling laws will lead to unprecedented logistical problems for food distributors, which in turn will drive up costs for consumers and create onerous red tape for supermarket operators.”
“NGA supports S. 764 and is grateful to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for their leadership to advance this legislation on a bipartisan basis. On behalf of the independent grocers who are operating in each Congressional district nationwide, we urge the U.S. House to take up this bill before the summer district work period.”
About NGA:
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
Source: National Grocers Association (NGA)