With the final regulations for GMO labeling now in effect, many may wonder which products will carry the new certification seal indicating they are derived from bioengineering. The reality is that the number of products bearing this label may be lower than expected by labeling advocates. Estimates suggest that up to 75% of grocery store items contain ingredients from genetically modified crops. However, under the new regulations, products featuring highly refined ingredients are exempt from labeling requirements.
Any product that intentionally includes bioengineered ingredients must display a label, while those that inadvertently contain at least 5% bioengineered material are also required to be labeled. This threshold is higher than that of many other countries with GMO labeling laws. Manufacturers can voluntarily disclose GMOs if their product contains refined ingredients or lower concentrations of bioengineered materials, a move welcomed by GMO advocates but met with caution by consumer organizations.
The new labeling requirements, which most manufacturers must adopt starting in 2020, were considered by some analysts to strike a fair balance. Sean McBride from DSM Strategic Communication noted that the regulations provide consumers with the transparency they seek, without one side receiving everything it wanted.
However, industry stakeholders have mixed feelings about the regulations. With the time for changes now closed, manufacturers must ensure their labels comply with the new guidelines. The regulations allow manufacturers to test their labels as early as this month. Notably, while the final rules specify the symbols and terminology to be used, they did not alter what products need to be labeled. Items such as meat, poultry, and egg products are explicitly excluded from disclosure, as are multi-ingredient products where these items are primary ingredients, like beef broth in canned stew.
A significant point of contention in the final regulations is the treatment of crops that are transformed into food ingredients through refining processes that often eliminate genetic material. The USDA opted not to mandate labeling for these highly refined ingredients, arguing that if modified genetic material cannot be detected, it does not exist. This has raised concerns among consumer advocates. Andrew Kimbrell from the Center for Food Safety criticized the USDA for undermining public trust, stating that the ruling has created confusion rather than clarity.
Despite these controversies, many leading food manufacturers, including Campbell Soup, Mars, Danone, Kellogg, Coca-Cola, and Unilever, have voluntarily disclosed whether their products contain GMOs, regardless of refinement status. The USDA will also maintain a list of definitively GMO crops produced worldwide, aiding manufacturers in identifying which ingredients require disclosure, although this list will be updated periodically and is not exhaustive.
Currently, the crops classified as GMO include alfalfa, Arctic apple, canola, corn, cotton, Bt-eggplant, ringspot virus-resistant papaya, pink pineapple, potato, AquAdvantage salmon, soybean, summer squash, and sugar beet. The regulations also dictate how and where the disclosures must appear on packaging, ensuring visibility under normal shopping conditions and close to other relevant label information.
The new “BE” symbol will feature a round image of a plant growing in a sunny field, alongside the words “BIOENGINEERED” or “DERIVED FROM BIOENGINEERING” for voluntary disclosures. Notably, the term “GMO” appears infrequently in the regulations, with consumers more familiar with this terminology than “bioengineered.”
Consumer opinions on the effectiveness of the new labeling law are divided. The Environmental Working Group expressed dissatisfaction, particularly with the lack of labeling for highly refined ingredients, claiming that the USDA is withholding essential information from consumers. Conversely, the Grocery Manufacturers Association emphasized the importance of cohesive labeling regulations, stating that the law facilitates transparency and trust between consumers and food brands.
As labeling becomes increasingly prominent in the food industry, organizations continue to advocate for clarity and truth in food labeling. The Consumer Federation of America has highlighted the inconsistency in terminology, noting that consumers typically associate “GMO” with genetically modified products, rather than the term “bioengineered” that will appear on labels.
In conclusion, while the new regulations aim to provide consumers with information about bioengineered foods, the effectiveness of this labeling law in alleviating consumer concerns remains to be seen. With ongoing debates and discussions, transparency in food labeling continues to be a hot topic, especially as consumers seek clarity on whether their food, including items like medicine ccm tablets, is derived from genetically modified sources.