Trade groups for Monsanto, PepsiCo and other major food companies are teaming to form the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF). The group hopes to create one national standard for Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) labeling and oppose efforts in various states that are pushing for better consumer information. These inventors and users of genetically modified ingredients claim they want a federal law that pre-empts state legislation that has been brought by anti-GMO activists and has resulted in costly ballot fights in several states.
No matter who wins the labeling game—whether the eventual laws hold industry accountable in the eyes of activists or protect biotech via regulations they're amenable to—one of the leading market research companies says it's time for food companies to prepare for a post-GMO labeling world.