Chef Tom Colicchio is famous for putting “Top Chef” contestants on the hot seat, and on Tuesday he’ll be doing the same to lawmakers.
Colicchio, who also founded Craft restaurants, will join several other chefs to deliver to Congress a petition pushing for mandatory labels on genetically modified food.
“I think we need clear and transparent labels on our food,” Colicchio said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Food and Drug Administration continues to maintain genetically modified food is not different enough from food grown in normal ways to make labeling it a necessity.
Food companies are also hesitant against the labeling, worried consumers will believe genetically modified food correlates with unsafe food.
An Oregon ballot measure requiring labels on all genetically modified food sold in the state will be recounted after falling short of the 812 votes necessary for passage in the November election. A similar measure was rejected by voters in Colorado, California and Washington.
Colicchio said his restaurants are moving to eliminate using genetically modified ingredients in his restaurants and hopes Congress will take the lead to do so as well.
“I think people trust chefs when it comes to food — when talking about food and the food supply,” he said.
Colicchio will be joined by Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s former chef, and Nora Pouillon, founder of Restaurant Nora, a Washington spot that has dubbed itself “America’s first certified organic restaurant,” as they dine with congressional aides Tuesday.
