USDA develops first label for GMO-free products

[EGB News]

WASHINGTON - The Agriculture Department has developed the first government certification and labeling for foods that are free of genetically modified ingredients.

USDA's move comes as some consumer groups push for mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

Certification would be voluntary -- and companies would have to pay for it. If approved, the foods would be able to carry a "USDA Process Verified" label along with a claim that they are free of GMOs.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/lifesty ... e-products

[cabinish]

Nice to see they finally got around to it after all these years.

[evergreenseo]

That's epic! I didn't hear about this one, but I'm glad to see GMO labeling starting to take charge! Vermont will certainly be changing the future of this country, but this is an AWESOME label to have! Right on... You the non-gmo label project will still be the leader in labeling though?

[ChromaKey]

The devil is in the details. If your concern isn't GMO per se, but rather the agricultural practices that have sprung up around the serious overuse of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides in food crop agriculture, then the genetics of the seed are almost an afterthought. USDA Organic remains the safest bet if you want limit your exposure to pre-mid-1990s levels of industrial chemicals contaminating your food. Studies show food grown organically also harbor less heavy metal, which accumulates and becomes mobile in synthetically fertilized and chemically blasted soils. Beyond that, good varieties of produce that have been grown slow in healthy soil just taste better. Cooking and eating the best available produce is more satisfying.