Federal Spotlight: Food labeling bill passes House

July 21, 2016

The U.S. House passed S.764 last Thursday, which will preempt state and local food labeling laws related to bioengineered foods. The legislation, which is expected to be signed by President Obama has undergone many changes since the first proposal was introduced. The US Department of Agriculture must establish a labeling standard and go through rulemaking before the law is fully in effect. The process is expected to take a couple years, but state and local laws already on the books will be nullified immediately.