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Key Takeaways
Grocery shoppers have to embrace a new term: bioengineered.
Some experts and advocates worry that the term “bioengineered” will lead to confusion for consumers.
Why Did the USDA Mandate Bioengineered Food Labels?
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Some companies voluntarily included information about GMOs and GE ingredients on their packaging.
Some states had their own rules while others didn’t require the label at all.
In 2014, Vermont was the first state to pass a GMO labeling law.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
“This is to avoid a patchwork approach.
Vermont might have one set of rules and New Hampshire could have a different set of rules.
What Do the BE Labels Look Like?
“We’re very happy to see that the symbols now all have words on them.
I think that was a really important step that USDA took,” she said.
The AMS reported that 85% of consumers experienced technical challenges using certain mobile apps or scanning digital links.
The digital labels aren’t the only place where consumers are asked to put in additional effort.
Anyone, including consumers, canreport a productthat they believe is not following the bioengineered standards.
It will then be investigated by the USDA.
What Foods Will Be Labeled?
Not all bioengineered food products are required to be labeled.
Foods sold by “very small” suppliers also don’t have to comply with the labeling requirements.
And foods served in restaurants, airplanes, and food trucks are exempt as well.
Are Bioengineered Foods Bad For You?
These foods have been on the market long before the USDA created the new labels.
An up-to-datelist of bioengineered foodswith their safety information can be found on the USDA website.
“These labels simply inform consumers of the ingredients used in the food product,” Herring said.
Cuited reiterated that the only thing that’s changed is the label, not the products.
Consumers who already avoid GMOs have likely been look for organic or non-GMO labels already, she added.
But remember, certain foods and producers are exempt from using the new bioengineered labels.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.BE disclosure.
Hallman W, Cuite C, Morin X.Public perceptions of labeling genetically modified foods.Rutgers University.
- doi:doi.org/10.7282/T33N255N
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.Study of electronic or digital disclosure.
USDA.What is a bioengineered food?
USDA.Information for regulated entities.
FDA.GMOs and your health.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.Genetically engineered crops: experiences and prospects- new report.
