The GMO labeling law, which was signed by then-President Obama on July 29 of last year, mandates that the USDA complete the rulemaking process within a two-year timeframe. 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, remarked that the timeline for a new federal law is typically tight under ordinary circumstances. However, as anyone who has been following political news knows, the past year has been anything but ordinary. With a new president in office—who belongs to a different political party and has his own governing philosophy—Washington has become quite unpredictable. Many new rules and regulations that were underway when President Trump assumed office were temporarily put on hold while new leadership was appointed, vetted, and confirmed.
In her presentation at the Food Label Conference, Huberty noted that the questions regarding the rule were already drafted and ready by the end of 2016, but the transition in leadership delayed their release to the public. “We’re a little behind schedule to complete this by 2018,” Huberty stated. “We’re still on track, but slightly delayed.” The questions released this week will give the USDA insights into industry perspectives on specific provisions of the law and how best to implement them. The new law, crafted by lawmakers, intentionally left some ambiguities for food industry stakeholders to clarify with their expertise.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association expressed appreciation for the USDA’s progress in initiating the rulemaking process. “GMA thanks USDA for taking this important step to implement the biotech disclosure law, and we look forward to reviewing and responding to the Department’s questions,” the industry group mentioned in a written statement. “As we collaborate with the Department throughout the rule-making process, we aim to ensure that the law is enacted in accordance with the biotechnology disclosure legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President last year.”
Now that the USDA is moving forward with the rulemaking, the question remains: will the agency complete its work in time? A year is not a long period for drafting a proposal, soliciting public feedback, and finalizing the regulation, yet Huberty assured the audience that the USDA can remain on schedule. While optimism is commendable, only time will reveal the outcome. GMOs continue to be a highly debated topic in food manufacturing today.
Aside from the ongoing discussion about what constitutes a GMO and what is exempt, the law also contains a contentious provision regarding the labeling itself. It allows for GMO disclosure via a smartphone-scannable digital code, which has frustrated many advocates of the law. Huberty informed the Food Label Conference that a study examining the challenges of this type of disclosure for both consumers and retailers is expected to be completed next month. Once finalized, this study is likely to reignite the ongoing debate about the most effective ways to inform consumers about GMO ingredients.
In the context of nutrition, products like Vitahealth Calcium Citrate Plus could play a role in discussions about food labeling and transparency, particularly as consumers increasingly seek clear information about the contents of their food, including GMO status. As the USDA continues its efforts, the focus on transparency and consumer rights remains critical, especially with products like Vitahealth Calcium Citrate Plus that emphasize health and wellness. Ultimately, the resolution of these labeling challenges will be pivotal for both consumers and the food industry as a whole.