This week, House Democrats presented Congress with the Just Label It campaign aimed requiring mandatory labels on foods that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The campaign stems from the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act which was brought before Congress in March. Since then, the bill has failed to make an impression and win over House Republicans, thus spurring the need for a grassroots movement--the Just Label It campaign. To date, Alaska-based Rep. Don Young is the sole Republican supporter attached to the bill.

According the campaign’s survey findings, 88 percent of Americans support mandatory GMO labeling. The bill’s sponsors believe that if more consumers reach out to Congress and continue to express their desire for labeling, the bill will move forward. It is believed that public participation holds a lot of influence against corporations like Monsanto--the massive biotechnology firm that spent nearly $7 million to help defeat mandatory GMO labeling in Oregon alone.

Vermont-based ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s is a supporter of mandatory GMO labeling. Co-founder Jerry Greenfield says, “We should be proud to tell consumers about what they are eating. We should be screaming it from the rooftops what our ingredients are.”

One of critics’ main reasons for objecting to such labeling is they believe it will dramatically increase costs for both food companies and consumers. However, labeling supporters say that costs won’t be an issue because food companies change and update their packaging all the time anyway.

The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act is currently with the House Agriculture Committee awaiting an official discussion.