WASHINGTON — The National Grain and Feed Association (N.G.F.A.) on Feb. 6 announced it has joined 28 other national organizations, including the American Bakers Association, the North American Millers’ Association and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, as a member of the newly formed Coalition for Safe Affordable Food. The organizations are urging Congress to quickly seek a federal solution to establish standards governing the safety and labeling of human and animal food and beverage products made with bioengineered ingredients.

“The N.G.F.A. believes strongly that it is in the best interests of all stakeholders — including consumers — to arrive at a federal solution to labeling of products containing ingredients derived from modern agricultural biotechnology," said Randy Gordon, president of the N.G.F.A.

“It is essential that such a framework remains both safety — and science-based, and continues to fully protect consumers," Mr. Gordon added. “What will not work is a state-by-state patchwork of different laws and requirements that would devastate the efficiency our nation’s food and animal feed production and marketing system, and dramatically increase costs to consumers.”

Mr. Gordon said N.G.F.A. policy strongly supports agricultural biotechnology and other scientific and technological innovations that contribute to production efficiency and the availability of a safe, abundant and high-quality food and feed supply for U.S. and world consumers. He noted that such continued innovation will be “absolutely essential” to meet the 70% increase in production of grain-based foods, animal-based proteins and other foods projected to be required to feed a global population that is projected to increase from 7 billion people to 9 billion by 2050.