From a press release Friday (April 12):

HR149 introduced by Kauai Representative Derek Kawakami (Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Wailua, Kapaa) was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives today. The resolution requests the US Congress to support legislation requiring the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to come up with a nationwide system for monitoring, labeling and enforcing the labeling of all whole and processed genetically engineered foods.

The resolution states that transparency and accuracy regarding the genetic and nutritional composition of food we eat is a right that should be protected by law.

Kawakami, the principal author of the resolution, said “More and more states are becoming aware of the necessity to properly label food items that contain genetically engineered ingredients.  It makes a lot of sense to address the issue on the national level. Developing a national standard for labeling would keep it consistent throughout all the states and make it easier to monitor and enforce.”

—Chad Blair