USDA releases GMO food labeling proposal—suggests using ‘bioengineered’ instead of ‘genetically modified’

Screen Shot at PM

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to implement the landmark legislation requiring some form of disclosure of biotech ingredients on food packaging.

USDA’s proposal maintains the bioengineered food definition set by the 2016 law: A food “that contains genetic material that has been modified” and “for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.”

In an effort to ensure compliance with the Vermont law and other potential pieces of legislation, many food companies started to voluntarily disclose the presence of bioengineered products, typically through language such as “partially produced with genetic engineering.” USDA, however, suggests using “bioengineered food” or “bioengineered food ingredient.”

The proposed rule also creates symbols that can be used for disclosure. The symbols (pictured above) use the letters “BE” to denote the presence of bioengineered products.

AMS sets January 1, 2020, as the date for compliance for large food companies, and a year later for small companies, defined as those with less than $10 million in annual receipts.

Read full, original post: USDA issues proposed rule for bioengineered-ingredient labeling

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

ChatGPT-Image-Mar-10-2026-01_39_01-PM
Viewpoint—“Miracle molecule” debunked: Why acemannan supplements don’t work
afb-a-b
As the EU loosens restrictions on agricultural gene editing, it remains years behind the rest of the world on equally-safe GMO foods
ChatGPT-Image-Jul-8-2026-12_32_48-PM
Viewpoint: SCOTUS strikes a blow against junk science in Bayer glyphosate case. Will it deter mass tort litigators?
Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-2.02.54-PM
Viewpoint: In abortion-restricting Florida, misinformation abounds when Republican congresswoman faces an ectopic pregnancy
ChatGPT-Image-Jul-7-2026-01_57_55-PM
Viewpoint: Europe’s rejection of air conditioning is the poster child for misunderstanding how to mitigate the impact of climate change
Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-3.10.50-PM
Snake-oil cures throughout history
ChatGPT-Image-Jun-25-2026-12_23_17-PM
No, Bill Gates did not secretly engineer ticks to promote veganism
Screen-Shot-at-PM-pe-vra-kipgaprbdo-vd-ms-jpule-n-jqqaxf-l-e
Viewpoint: Will new breeding techniques help make European agriculture more competitive?
Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-12.55.21-PM
Cancer health facts are particularly susceptible to online misinformation
Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-3.25.10-PM
Using AI for health questions? Here are 4 tips for the most accurate answers.
Viewpoint: Consensus as truth? How ‘misinformation police’ control policy narratives
Which among war, weather and cyber attacks is the biggest world threat? None of the above. It’s misinformation, and here’s why.
Screenshot-2026-07-08-at-9.36.03-AM
Viewpoint: Long-contained diseases are on the rise in the U.S. Are Trump cuts to blame?
Gemini_Generated_Image_gabo48gabo48gabo
Viewpoint: A plastic surgeon on why banning gender-transition surgery without further research is wrong and harmful
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.