Despite support by 93% of Americans for strong food labeling standards, on July 23, 2015, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 1599, best known as the DARK Act (Deny Americans the Right to Know). The DARK Act undermines Americans' right to know by preempting state mandatory GMO labeling laws. You may recall that states, like Vermont and Connecticut have passed GMO labeling laws precisely because the federal legislative branch of government has not taken up serious labeling legislation. Instead, the U.S. Congress passes the the DARK Act: Dressed up to look like truth-in-labeling but is in fact further obfuscation engineered by industrial agriculture.
We are the 93%
We agree with 93% of the Americans: We have a right to know what's in our food. Slow Food USA will write the Senate Committe on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, urging them to vote against this assault on food labeling. We encourage you to do so too! Remember, clear and meaningful food labels are the primary tools that government provides consumers in order to make informed choices. As a result, the DARK Act undermines consumer choice.
We encourage you to join us in this fight by urging your U. S. Senators to reject a Senate version of the Dark Act. Let's make sure the Senate version of the DARK Act never sees the light of day. Act now. Let's nip this in the bud. Sample letter below.
Thank you for your attention on this very important matter.
Richard McCarthy
Executive Director, Slow Food USA
Dear Senator xxxx;
I am a constituent and supporter of Slow Food USA, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to good, clean, and fair food and farming. 93% of Americans support strong food labeling standards. I am one. I believe Americans have the right to know what they are feeding their families. On July 23, 2015, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, known more accurately by many Americans as the DARK Act (Deny Americans the Right to Know). The DARK Act would undermine Americans' right to know and states' rights to tell them by preempting state mandatory GMO labeling laws. Vermont and Connecticut have passed GMO labeling laws precisely because Congress has not taken up serious labeling legislation. Instead, the House of Representatives passed the DARK Act : dressed up to look like truth-in-labeling that is in fact obfuscation engineered by industrial agriculture. I urge you to stand with the 93% and reject a Senate version of the DARK Act.
Thank you,
xxxxx