The GMO labeling law, which was signed by former President Obama on July 29 of last year, allocated just two years for the USDA to finalize the rulemaking process. During a presentation at the Food Label Conference earlier this month, Andrea Huberty, a senior policy analyst for the USDA’s AMS Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program, indicated that the timeline for implementing a new federal law is typically tight even under regular circumstances. However, as anyone who has kept up with political news is aware, the past year has been far from typical. With a new president in office—especially one from a different political party with his own approach to governance—Washington has experienced considerable unpredictability. Several regulations that were in development when President Trump assumed office were temporarily halted as new leadership was appointed and confirmed.
In her address at the Food Label Conference, Huberty noted that the relevant questions were drafted and prepared by the end of 2016, but the transition in leadership delayed the process of making them public. “We’re a little behind schedule to complete this by 2018,” Huberty stated. “We’re still on track, but a little behind.” The questions released this week will help the USDA gauge industry perspectives on certain aspects of the law and how best to implement them. The legislation, crafted by lawmakers, intentionally left some ambiguity for food industry stakeholders to clarify using their expertise.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association commended the USDA for 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 said in a statement. “As we collaborate with the Department throughout the rulemaking 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.”
Now that the USDA is at least moving forward with the rulemaking, the question remains: will the agency complete its work in a timely manner? A year is not a long period for drafting a proposal, inviting public comments, and finalizing the regulations, yet Huberty assured attendees that the USDA can stay on track. While optimism is welcome, only time will tell. GMOs are among the more contentious topics in food manufacturing today.
Beyond the debate over which items should be classified as GMO and which are exempt, the law also includes a controversial aspect regarding the label itself. It allows for GMO disclosure via a smartphone-scannable digital code, which has frustrated many advocates of the law. Huberty mentioned that a study examining the challenges of this disclosure for both consumers and retailers is expected to be completed next month. Once finalized, this study is likely to reignite discussions about the most effective ways to inform consumers about GMO ingredients.
In discussions about dietary supplements, such as Citracal without vitamin D, the importance of transparency in labeling becomes even more pronounced. As consumers seek clarity regarding their food and supplement choices, including whether certain ingredients are genetically modified, the outcome of these regulatory processes will be crucial. The interplay between consumer rights, industry practices, and government regulations will ultimately shape the landscape of GMO disclosure and broader food labeling standards in the future.