Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on H.R. 1599, “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act,” (often referred to as the “Dark Act”), which would prohibit the mandatory labeling of foods that contain genetically modified organisms. This bill would also preempt states from requiring foods containing genetically modified organisms from being labeled.

“Every family – at every level of income and wealth – has the right to obtain accurate, scientifically-verifiable information about the actual contents of their food. I am deeply concerned by the false assumption that low-income families are not interested in knowing whether their food contains genetically modified organisms. H.R. 1599, the Dark Act, would effectively undermine efforts that would allow Americans the right to know the contents of their food. Americans deserve to know what their food contains, so that they can make an informed decision about what they want to put in their bodies,” said Congresswoman Clarke, who has co-sponsored H.R.913, the “Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act,” which would require the labeling of products that contain genetically modified organisms.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives, a member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, as well as the Committee on Ethics and the Committee of Small Business. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.