Prominent Chefs Urge Congress to Label GMOs

More than 700 chefs – including Tom Colicchio, José Andrés, Art Smith and Sam Talbot – are urging members of Congress to support legislation to mandate labeling of genetically modified foods and to oppose efforts to block state GMO labeling laws.

In a petition delivered and authored by Chef Tom Colicchio, the chefs called on Congress to advance legislation sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.

“As chefs, we know that choosing the right ingredients is an absolutely critical part of cooking,” the petition states. “But when it comes to whether our ingredients contain genetically modified organisms, we're in the dark. It’s time for Congress to move us forward, not backward, when it comes to our right to know what’s in our food.”

Some legislators, led by Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., are asking Congress to preempt GMO labeling laws passed by Vermont, Maine and Connecticut and to codify the current voluntary labeling system.

“As a chef and father, I want to know what I’m serving my customers and kids, and the majority of Americans want honest information about the food on their tables,” said Colicchio, owner of Craft Restaurants and co-founder of Food Policy Action (FPA). “Having honest, clear labeling of the foods we eat is a fundamental right, one that’s worth fighting for.”

Advocates from FPA, Environmental Working Group, Center for Food Safety, Just Label It and other national organizations fighting for labeling of GMO foods joined the chefs for meetings with lawmakers.

“Congress has an opportunity to stand up for the 93 percent of Americans who want to know more about whether their food has been genetically modified,” said Violet Batcha, communications and social media manager for Just Label It.

“This is about transparency, not technology,” added Scott Faber, EWG’s VP of government affairs. “Consumers simply want to know what’s in their food and how it’s grown – just like consumers in 64 other countries.”

Chefs taking part in the Congressional lobby day include: Tom Colicchio, Art Smith, Sam Talbot, Morgan L'Esperance, Kyle Bailey, Danielle Vogel, Brad Race, José Andrés, Travis Olson, Alex Young, Cathal Armstrong, Luke Zahm, Scott Drewno, William Dissen, Michel Nischan, Andrea Reusing, Hugh Acheson, Jamie Leeds, Brian Johnson, Micheline Mendelsohn, Blake Backman and Cathy Whims.