Dive Brief:
- At the Iowa Ag Summit, key influencers in the Republican party, including potential presidential candidates, voiced their opinions about GMO issues.
- One topic involved whether there should be a federal law requiring GMO food labeling.
- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz both weighed in supporting GMO foods, Bush in defense of farmers and Cruz in opposition of "anti-science zealotry [that could] shut down the ability to produce low cost, quality food for billions across the globe," Cruz said, as reported by KCCI News 8.
Dive Insight:
Elsewhere in the GMO space, Cargill announced its GMO-free IngreVita™ High Oleic Sunflower and EPA/DHA Omega-3 Oil, which is an alternative to its original IngreVita, which was made with canola oil. As for legislation, a Rhode Island senator introduced a GMO labeling bill, an effort that did not gain much traction last session but may see different progress this time around. Rhode Island's House has a similar bill being debated as well.