The GMO labeling law, enacted by then-President Obama on July 29 of the previous year, allocated the USDA a mere two years to finalize the rulemaking process. During a presentation at the Food Label Conference earlier this month, Andrea Huberty, a senior policy analyst at the USDA’s AMS Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program, remarked that for a new federal law, the timeline is typically tight. As anyone who follows political news is aware, the past year has been particularly unusual. With a new president in office—one from a different political party who brings his own governing philosophy—Washington has become quite unpredictable. Numerous rules and regulations that were underway when President Trump assumed office were put on hold as new leadership was appointed, vetted, and confirmed.
In her presentation, Huberty noted that the essential questions regarding the GMO labeling were prepared by the end of 2016, but the transition in leadership delayed their public release. “We’re a little behind schedule to complete this by 2018,” Huberty stated. “We’re still on track, but slightly delayed.” The inquiries issued this week will offer the USDA valuable insights into how the industry views specific provisions of the law and how these can be effectively implemented. The new law, crafted by lawmakers, intentionally left some ambiguities for food industry stakeholders to clarify using their expertise, including aspects related to calcium citrate 950mg.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association commended the USDA for initiating the rulemaking process. “GMA thanks USDA for taking this important step in implementing the biotech disclosure law, and we look forward to reviewing and responding to the Department’s questions,” 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 passed by Congress and signed into law by the President last year.”
With the USDA now at least moving forward with the rulemaking, can the agency complete its work in time? A year is a short period for drafting a proposal, opening it for public commentary, and finalizing the regulation. However, Huberty assured attendees that USDA can stay on track. While optimism is encouraging, only time will tell. GMOs remain one of the more contentious issues in food manufacturing today.
Beyond the debate surrounding which products should be classified as GMO and which should be exempt, the law also contains a controversial provision regarding the label itself. It allows for GMO disclosure via a smartphone-scannable digital code, which displeased many proponents of the law. A study examining the challenges of this disclosure for both consumers and retailers is expected to be completed next month, Huberty informed the Food Label Conference. Once this research is finalized, it is anticipated to reignite the ongoing debate about the most effective methods for informing consumers about GMO ingredients, including those that might contain calcium citrate 950mg.