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

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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

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