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USDA releases rule for labeling of genetically modified foods
The USDA has issued its final rule on the labeling of genetically modified—or bioengineered—food products.
The rule clarifies what foods can be exempted and how inadvertent amounts of biotech ingredients will be treated.
USDA undersecretary Greg Ibach, speaking this morning at a dairy conference in Madison, Wisconsin, said he expects the rule to receive mixed reviews.
“There are very divergent points of view—whether or not you support and believe in biotechnology being able to be the future of agriculture and help us develop sustainable food systems, or whether you’re one of those people that don’t think that it works in the future of agriculture,” Ibach said.
Ag groups are applauding the rule.
“Soybean farmers are pleased that USDA took the time to do this rule the right way,” said American Soybean Association president Davie Stephens. “We believe that it allows transparency for consumers while following the intent of Congress that only food that contains modified genetic material be required to be labeled bioengineered under the law, with food companies having the option of providing additional information if they choose.”
“America’s corn farmers need a consistent, transparent system to provide consumers with information without stigmatizing important, safe technology.,” said National Corn Growers Association president Lynn Chrisp. “Thus, we are pleased with the issuance of these rules and look forward to reviewing the details in the coming days.”
AUDIO: Excerpt from Greg Ibach’s speech to the Professional Dairy Producers Food and Policy Summit in Madison, Wisconsin
I’m disappointed that the standard makes no mention of the growing number of accurate but extremely deceptive GMO-free labels appearing on hundreds of foods. An example is olive oil, a single ingredient food but there are no GMO versions of the single ingredient in existence. No consumer is helped by such a label, and some are misled into thinking there is a GMO-ness difference between brands.