On September 17, the Illinois Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on GMO Food Labeling will meet in downtown Chicago.  IFCA and a coalition of agricultural organizations have worked successfully to provide factual information at these hearings.  The first hearing was at Illinois State University in June, and the second at Southern IL University at Carbondale in July.  Some outspoken citizens want all foods that contain any ingredients derived from biotechnology to feature a GMO label on the package.  This is extremely problematic for the food production industry, given that biotech grain crops are not significantly different than other crops according to the FDA, who therefore does not require labeling.   To give you an idea of the arguments being presented on both sides, click here to see a short video from the Carbondale hearing.  IFCA is opposed to GMO food labeling; the cost of grain segregation, trait verification throughout the processing channel and state regulatory oversight of an Illinois labeling law is hugely cost prohibitive and places tremendous liability on the food industry.  The USDA certified organic program is already an option for consumers who wish to purchase GMO free food products.