New legislation introduced by Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California and Democratic Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon would require the Food and Drug Administration to mandate labeling of genetically modified foods.
The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Actwould require labels on any food containing genetically modified ingredients to carry a label. The bill follows last year's defeat of Proposition 37, which lost with 53.1 percent of California voters against it.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont -- a co-sponsor of the bill -- argues labeling is about enabling consumers to know what is in their food.
Opponents, meanwhile, insist that genetically modified products are safe and that labeling every food containing genetically modified ingredients would be extremely expensive.
A recent HuffPost/YouGov poll revealed that a large majority of Americans support GMO labeling.