Jan. 1 brought a new set of regulations to U.S. food and agriculture: mandatory genetic engineered (GE) labeling. These new standards, outlined first by the Obama administration, require food manufacturers, importers and other entities that label foods for retail sale to disclose information about genetically engineered food and food ingredients. Shoppers will no longer see labels marked “genetically engineered” or “genetically modified organisms.” Instead of “GMO” or “GE,” products will be marked “bioengineered” or include a QR code, website or phone number for shoppers looking for more information. USDA also opted to provide an exemption for “highly refined” ingredients if they did not contain detectable genetic material, a situation which translates into many processed foods made with ingredients that come from GMO crops not being subject to the labeling requirement.
USDA said the change is in the name of consistency, to eliminate “a patchwork of state labeling regulations.” Food safety advocates and others see confusion ahead and will challenge the matter in court.
