You may have already started seeing the [bioengineered, or] BE food disclosure on food packages since many companies have already begun to implement it. So, what does it mean and how does it differ from the Non-GMO Project Verified label?
The Non-GMO Project’s definition of ‘GMO’ is similar to the USDA’s definition of ‘bioengineered’
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is defined by the Non-GMO Project as a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
Rather than “GMO,” the NBFDS uses the term “bioengineered,” which is a more scientifically accurate term. The NBFDS defines bioengineered foods as those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques.
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Keep in mind that both a bioengineered food disclosure and a non-GMO label are marketing labels, and they do not convey any information about the health, safety, or environmental attributes of bioengineered or GMO food as compared to non-bioengineered or non-GMO counterparts.
