DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, July 8, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TraceGains, the leading Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) software solution for food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, sees a single, national labeling standard for products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as a positive step for both consumers and the food and beverage industry. The U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider bipartisan GMO labeling legislation authored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and the committee’s Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). With Senate passage of the bill already complete, TraceGains praised the advocacy efforts of the American Baking Association (ABA) for championing the issue on behalf of its members.

“Regardless of how you feel about foods derived from biotechnology, the Roberts-Stabenow compromise bill will improve transparency for consumers who want to know more about the ingredients in their food, while preventing a confusing patchwork of state laws that would be an unnecessary regulatory burden,” said Dana Johnson Downing, TraceGains’ Director of Industry & Policy. “We are grateful that the staff and leadership of ABA have advocated so strongly for a legislative solution that is based on science and recognizes the very basic concepts of interstate commerce.”

TraceGains closely follows policy issues affecting the food industry because its software solutions offer powerful recordkeeping and regulatory compliance tools that helps customers meet food safety and quality requirements. The software provider is a member of several food industry trade associations, including ABA, to stay informed and engage with policymakers.

On July 1, Vermont became the first state that would require clear, on-package labeling of GMOs. Connecticut has a similar law on the books, but it requires neighboring states to also enact GMO labeling requirements. Maine has passed GMO labeling legislation and similar measures are under consideration in New York, Massachusetts, and other states. Without a common sense national standard for GMO labeling, food and beverage companies would have to label for the Vermont standard and would potentially have to create additional labels to meet the requirements of several other states that have GMO labeling measures pending. If approved by the House of Representatives, the bill would be sent to President for signature into law. Once it becomes law, the national labeling standard would preempt state GMO labeling laws.

The bill requires food manufacturers to use one of three types of labels to inform consumers when genetically engineered, or GMO, ingredients are in their products. The label requirements would also apply to growers of fruits and vegetables that are genetically engineered.

Follow this link to read the full text of the Senate-passed GMO labeling bill: http://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Ag%20biotech%20compromise%20proposal.pdf

About TraceGains
TraceGains’ cloud-based SAAS solution provides food and CPG companies with an integrated quality, supplier, compliance, and regulatory document management system that eases compliance with FSMA, GFSI, and HACCP. By automating, innovating, and streamlining Food Safety and Quality Assurance, TraceGains’ customers are 365 Audit Ready™ and the system typically pays for itself in only four to six months.

TraceGains is among the Food Logistics Top 100 software and technology providers and a Top 20 Information Technology Firm by Coloradobiz magazine. Learn more about TraceGains products at www.tracegains.com. Follow TraceGains on Twitter @TraceGains.

Dana Johnson Downing
TraceGains, Inc.
720-465-9400
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