The GMO labeling law, which was signed by then-President Obama on July 29 last year, mandates that the USDA complete the rulemaking process within two years. During a presentation earlier this month at the Food Label Conference, Andrea Huberty, a senior policy analyst for the USDA’s AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, noted that the timeline is tight for a new federal law, even under normal circumstances. However, as anyone who has been following political news is aware, the last year has been anything but typical. With a new president from a different political party implementing his own governing philosophy, Washington has become increasingly unpredictable. Several rules and regulations that were in progress when President Trump took office were temporarily put on hold while new leadership was appointed, vetted, and confirmed.
In her presentation at the Food Label Conference, Huberty mentioned that the questions regarding GMO labeling were drafted and ready to go by the end of 2016, but the leadership transition delayed their release to the public. “We’re a little behind schedule to get this done by 2018,” Huberty remarked. “We’re still on track, but slightly delayed.” The questions issued this week will provide the USDA with valuable insights into industry perspectives on various provisions of the law and how they can be effectively implemented. The new law, crafted by legislators, intentionally left some ambiguity for food industry stakeholders to clarify with their expertise.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association commended the USDA for initiating the rulemaking process. “GMA appreciates USDA for taking this crucial step to implement the biotech disclosure law, and we look forward to reviewing and responding to the Department’s inquiries,” the industry group stated in a written release. “As we collaborate with the Department throughout the rule-making process, we aim to ensure that the law is executed in accordance with the biotechnology disclosure legislation enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President last year.”
Now that the USDA is on the path to rulemaking, the pressing question is whether the agency can complete its work on time. A year is a short period for drafting a proposal, soliciting public comments, and finalizing the regulation, but Huberty expressed confidence during her presentation that the USDA can remain on track. While optimism is desirable, only time will reveal the outcome. GMOs remain one of the more contentious issues in food manufacturing today.
In addition to the debates about what constitutes a GMO and what should be exempt, the law includes a controversial provision regarding labeling. It allows for GMO disclosure via a smartphone-scannable digital code, which has frustrated many proponents of the law. Huberty informed the Food Label Conference that a study examining the challenges of this disclosure for both consumers and retailers is expected to be completed next month. Once finalized, the study is likely to reignite discussions concerning the most effective ways to inform consumers about GMO ingredients.
Interestingly, amidst the discussion of food labeling and transparency, many consumers are also increasingly interested in nutritional supplements like calcium citrate vitamin D3 zinc sulfate & magnesium hydroxide tablets. As the food industry evolves, integrating clear labeling practices may also extend to supplements, ensuring consumers are well-informed about their health choices. The intersection of GMO labeling and the growing interest in health supplements like calcium citrate vitamin D3 zinc sulfate & magnesium hydroxide tablets highlights the importance of transparency in all areas of food and nutrition. As the USDA works to implement the GMO labeling law, it could set a precedent for how other labeling initiatives, including those for health supplements, are handled in the future.