Republican bill would create organic-style certification for foods free of GMOs

Inspired by the popular "USDA organic" label, House Republicans are proposing a new government certification for foods free of genetically modified ingredients.

The idea is part of an attempt to block state efforts to require mandatory labeling of foods that include genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

A Kansas congressman, Mike Pompeo, says the label would be voluntary. He's including the idea in legislation he plans to introduce as soon as Wednesday.

Pompeo says a government-certified label would allow companies that want to advertise their foods as GMO-free to do so, but it would not be mandatory for others. The food industry backs Pompeo's bill and has strongly opposed individual state efforts to require labeling, saying labels would be misleading because GMOs are safe.