States would no longer be able to require labels on foods containing genetically modified organisms under legislation that is winning high praise from several agriculture and food industry associations.

The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act cleared the U.S. House Agriculture Committee last week and could hit the House floor as early as Wednesday, according to news reports. The bill would set voluntary federal guidelines for labeling foods with GMOs, and in the process overturn any mandatory labeling requirements established in states.

So far Maine, Connecticut and Vermont are the only states to have GMO labeling laws. The Vermont law is being challenged in court by a coalition of associations led by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which has thrown support behind the federal bill.

"This critically important bipartisan legislation will ensure that Americans have accurate, consistent information about their food rather than a 50 state patchwork of labeling laws that will only prove costly and confusing for consumers, farmers and food manufacturers," GMA CEO Pamela Bailey said. http://bit.ly/1gK0k2B

GMA and other critics contend mandatory labels stir up irrational fears about GMOs because there is no science showing GMO foods are harmful to human health.

"GMOs have been around for decades, helping farmers to grow more crops more sustainably-using fewer pesticides and protecting the land and water," National Council of Farmer Cooperatives CEO Charles Conner wrote in a guest blog post for Roll Call. "And despite the scare tactics of alarmists, the fact is that scientists, including all major global health organizations and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have concluded that GMOs are as safe as any other food." http://bit.ly/1HEAeqq

The federal bill has its opponents, mainly consumer health and environmental groups that argue consumers have a right to know what is in their food.

"With this vote, the proponents of this bill are clearly saying they are against states' rights, against small farmers looking to protect their livelihoods and against consumers who want to exercise their freedom to choose what they eat. This is unacceptable," said Colin O'Neil, director of government affairs at Center for Food Safety. http://bit.ly/1Ie84UO

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