AHHA Issue 1-18-19

FEATURED ISSUE
Losing our ability to identify food with GMOs
If you look for non-GMO labels when you shop, be aware that as early as February 19, 2019 a new label will enter the marketplace: GMO is to be replaced by Bioengineered or BE. In late December 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), a requirement of the July 2016 congressional amendment to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The NBFDS requires food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers to ensure bioengineered foods are appropriately disclosed, and will be fully in effect by January 1, 2022. This law was passed with the intent of increasing transparency of food labeling for the consumer, while at the same time setting the boundary of “containing modified genetic material” for the food industry. What this means for the consumer is that there are many exemptions and confusing multi-ingredient foods that contain GMOs that will not be labeled, as only products that contain detectable GMO DNA will be labeled. Many processed foods that contain canola oil, for example, will not be labeled as oils do not contain DNA even though the plant may be GMO. Reviewing the explanations given by those for and those against these new standards will help you understand what must be labeled Bioengineeredand what might have GMOs but not be labeled. Unfortunately, this labeling confusion cannot be easily fixed with a non-GMO label. While the law allows for voluntary disclosures, it does not specify when a food can be voluntarily labeled as non-GMO. Ultimately, it appears that your only options for identifying fully non-GMO foods will be to look for USDA certified organic foods and products that contain the Non-GMO Project seal.

ISSUE: New GMO labeling regulations

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in learning more about this month’s issue, the following related articles presenting both pro and con positions were selected to serve as a foundation for becoming better informed about this matter.

PRO
Establishing the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (12/20/18)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
[official new USDA law with link to Federal Register]

BE Disclosure
U.S. Department of Agriculture
[history and details of new USDA law]

USDA releases final bioengineered food disclosure standard (12/20/18)
Feedstuffs
[feels new law provides certainty to farmers and the supply chain]

Ag Groups Praise National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard [link no longer available] (12/20/18)
by Anna-Lisa Laca
AG Pro
[feels new law stands firmly with science in that it validates the fact that there is no health, safety or nutritional difference between bioengineered crops and comparable conventional or organic crops.]

CON
Can You Tell Which GMOs Will Be Labeled under the NBFDS? (1/9/19)
Living non-GMO
[presents their view of problem disclosure options and exemptions under NBFDS]

With its New GMO-Labeling Rule, the USDA Has Completely Failed the American Consumer (12/30/18)
by Max Goldberg
Living Maxwell
[feels rule prioritizes the interests of major GMO seed and chemical companies at the expense of shoppers]

USDA Makes GMOs Disappear (1/10/18)
Alliance for Natural Health USA
[feels law offers a number of loopholes and exemptions to food companies, undermining any semblance of a consumer’s right to know]

Final GMO labeling rule does not require labeling of highly refined ingredients from GM crops, if no modified genetic material is detectable (12/20/18)
by Elaine Watson
FOOD navigator-usa
[summarizes highlights of their concerns]

To review past ISSUES, visit the Special Updates Archives.