WASHINGTON (AP) — The food industry is likely to find a more receptive Congress come January in its fight against mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods.

The Food and Drug Administration has typically shied away from the subject, leaving it up to the states whether to label foods containing genetically modified ingredients. But Congress has shown more interest in getting involved as the food industry faces a potential patchwork of state laws requiring the labels.

On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's health subcommittee plans a hearing on a bill introduced earlier this year by Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas with the support of the food industry.

That legislation would make the labeling voluntary, overriding any state mandates. Genetically modified foods are grown from seeds engineered in labs

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