Tester: Increased Transparency as DARK Act Hits Senate Floor

During a floor speech, Senator Jon Tester blasted the latest version of the DARK Act, which prevents the public from knowing if the food they buy contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and blocks state laws that require corporations to label GMO products.

“Transparency is everything. Transparency leads to accountability and gives power to Americans.  It’s true when we talk about food, too. Free markets work when consumers have access to information,” said Tester. “But this bill does none of those things, it just keeps folks in the dark.”

Currently there are no federal requirements for companies using genetically engineered ingredients to disclose that information on food labels.  Vermont, Maine and Connecticut have passed GMO labeling laws and sixty-four countries across the world require GMO labeling.