Sen. Bernie Sanders' plan to give individual states the authority to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods has been defeated in the U.S. Senate by a three to one margin. His proposal was one of more than 70 amendments to the 2012 Farm Bill.

Genetically engineered products are prevalent in the food system, from fruits and vegetables, to processed foods. But critics of GMOs say consumers don't have access to reliable information about the genetically modified organisms they are eating.