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QR codes could soon be used to identify genetically engineered foods

Posted at 1:26 AM, Jul 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-10 03:26:54-04

The U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday mandating a form of GMO labeling on foods, but some don't think it's enough.

The bill requires the labeling of genetically-engineered ingredients in food, but those ingredients can only be accessed through a QR code reader from a smart phone. Some farmers are calling this a good compromise instead of directly labeling the food.

"There are points that we don't like, but it's a compromise we can live with. And I think if people want to see what's in a label, it's a better opportunity than what you can put on a food item." said Paul Schlagel, a farmer in Boulder County. Schlagel said he thinks labeling foods as GMOs would hurt business.

"Which in my opinion is a deterrent to what genetic engineering really is. To me, it's an extension of what we've been doing for 10,000 years," said Schlagel.

Through the bill, producers have two options: They can either directly label a product as containing GMO ingredients, or include the QR code. 

However, some GMO-labeling advocates think this form of labeling is not enough. A group of protestors threw money onto the Senate floor Wednesday during debate of the bill. 

Protesters think the message should be clear on the labels of foods with GMO ingredients.

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