Published: March 2016

DARK Act threatens consumers’ right to know what they eat

The so-called “Denying Americans the Right to Know” (DARK) Act (S. 2609) would strip states’ rights to require genetically modified organisms (GMOs) labeling and instead makes all such labeling voluntary. Consumer Action joined coalition advocates in expressing concern that if this legislation becomes law, consumers will lose their right to know what is in their food.

Consumers have a right to know everything about their food, including who made it, what’s in it and how it was produced. This is a trend that should be encouraged by policymakers as food and farming have enormous impacts on our health and on the health of our environment. The so-called “Denying Americans the Right to Know” (DARK) Act (S. 2609) would block GMO labeling and makes the assumption that consumers aren’t smart enough to make their own food choices.

We urge Congress to trust consumers to do their homework and be trusted – even encouraged – to consider the impacts of their food choices. The Senate should reject the DARK Act.

Lead Organization

Center for Justice & Democracy

Other Organizations

Alliance for Justice | American Association for Justice Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Bull City Cool | Center for Biological Diversity | Center for Justice & Democracy | Consumer Action | Consumer Federation of America Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Empire State | Consumer Project | Food & Water Watch | Green America | Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings MADE SAFE | National Association of Consumer Advocates | New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy Public Citizen | Public Justice Sciencecorps | U.S. Right to Know

More Information

For more information, please visit Center for Justice's website.

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DARK Act threatens consumers’ right to know what they eat   (DarkActletter.pdf)