"Senate Blocks Bill That Would Override State GMO Labeling Laws"

"The U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked a bill that would nullify state and local efforts to require food makers to label products made with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, as the industry races to stop Vermont's law from taking effect on July 1.

The proposed legislation from Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas comes amid growing calls for transparency in the U.S. food supply. Labeling advocates have criticized the bill as toothless because it leaves the decision to disclose GMO ingredients to the companies whose products contain them.

Senate Bill 2609 is known as the Biotech Labeling Solutions Act by supporters and the Deny Americans the Right to Know, or DARK, Act by opponents. A procedural vote on Wednesday failed to reach the necessary 60 votes to advance the bill in the Senate, with 49 yes votes and 48 no votes."

Lisa Baertlein and Karl Plume report for Reuters March 16, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Bill Blocking GMO Labels Stalls In Senate, But Battle Is Far From Over" (NPR)

"Senate Stalls Industry-Backed GMO Labeling Bill" (Huffington Post)

"How many Dems does it take to pass a GMO bill?" (Politico)