Are Bioengineered Foods Labeled in Stores?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

Since January 2022, food manufacturers have been required to disclose products containing bioengineered ingredients under the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. This federal law aims to provide consumers with more transparency regarding their food choices, but the methods of disclosure can vary significantly. Knowing what to look for on product packaging is essential for consumers who wish to identify bioengineered foods labeled in stores.

Quick Summary

The USDA mandates disclosure for bioengineered foods using text, a symbol, or electronic methods. Certain highly refined ingredients and products from animals fed bioengineered feed are exempt from these requirements, leading to varied labeling on store shelves.

Key Points

Mandatory Disclosure: The USDA requires food manufacturers to disclose products containing bioengineered (BE) ingredients.
Multiple Labeling Methods: Manufacturers can choose to use on-package text, a USDA-designed symbol, or a scannable QR code for disclosure.
Exemptions Exist: Highly refined ingredients (like corn oil) and products from animals fed BE crops (like meat and eggs) are exempt from mandatory labeling.
Organic Certification: Products with the USDA Organic label are a reliable way to avoid bioengineered ingredients, as they are prohibited under organic standards.
Informed Consumers: Shoppers must actively check for labeling and understand the different disclosure methods to identify BE foods.
Voluntary 'Derived From' Label: Some manufacturers voluntarily label highly refined products as 'derived from bioengineering' even if not required by law.

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) is a federal law implemented by the USDA to ensure consistent labeling of bioengineered (BE) foods across the United States. Fully effective since January 2022, this standard requires companies that label food for retail sale in the U.S. to disclose if their products contain bioengineered ingredients. The NBFDS defines a bioengineered food based on the use of in vitro recombinant DNA techniques that result in modifications not achievable through conventional breeding. This definition is key to understanding which products fall under the labeling rule.

How Disclosure is Provided

Manufacturers have several approved methods for disclosing bioengineered ingredients, offering flexibility in how they inform consumers:

Text: A clear statement such as "Bioengineered Food" or "Contains Bioengineered Food Ingredient" can be used on the package.
Symbol: A USDA-approved symbol that includes the word "BIOENGINEERED" is available for manufacturers to use.
Electronic or Digital Link: Often a QR code, this option directs consumers to a website containing the required disclosure information upon scanning with a smartphone.
Text Message or Phone Number: For small packages, companies can provide a phone number or text message option for consumers to access disclosure information.

Key Exemptions from Labeling

It's important to note that not all foods derived from bioengineering require a BE label. Several categories are exempt:

Highly Refined Ingredients: Products like corn oil and sugar from sugar beets that are highly processed and do not contain detectable modified genetic material are exempt. Companies can optionally label these as "derived from bioengineering".
Animal Products: Meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products from animals fed bioengineered feed are not required to be labeled.
Food Service and Small Business: Restaurants and similar food establishments, along with very small manufacturers, are exempt from mandatory disclosure.

Navigating Food Labels: BE vs. Other Certifications

Understanding the BE label in the context of other food certifications is helpful for making informed choices. The BE label indicates the presence of bioengineered ingredients as defined by the USDA standard. However, labels like USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified offer different assurances.


Label	Requirement/Certification	Relation to Bioengineered Ingredients	Consumer Takeaway
Bioengineered (BE)	Mandatory disclosure (with exemptions) for foods containing modified genetic material.	Indicates presence of BE ingredients.	Requires understanding of disclosure methods and exemptions.
USDA Organic	Federal standard for organic production.	Prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms.	Reliable method to avoid BE ingredients.
Non-GMO Project Verified	Third-party verification of non-GMO status.	Products contain less than 1% genetically modified ingredients.	Independent verification against GMOs.
Derived From Bioengineering	Voluntary label for exempt, highly refined ingredients from BE sources.	Used when a company chooses to disclose ingredients not mandatorily labeled.	Optional transparency for exempt products.

Tips for Identifying Bioengineered Foods

To identify bioengineered foods while shopping, be proactive in examining product packaging. Look for the official BE symbol or the mandated text disclosure, often located near the ingredient list. If you see a QR code, you will need a smartphone to scan it and access the disclosure information online, though a phone number should also be provided. Remember the exemptions for items like highly refined oils or animal products, as these may not carry a BE label even if derived from BE crops. For consumers prioritizing avoidance of BE ingredients, seeking products with the USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified labels is the most direct approach, as both prohibit GMOs.

Conclusion

Yes, bioengineered foods are labeled in stores in the U.S., thanks to the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. This law mandates disclosure through text, symbols, or electronic links, aiming to provide consumers with more information about their food. However, the system includes significant exemptions for highly refined ingredients and animal products, meaning not all foods originating from bioengineering are labeled. Consumers who wish to identify or avoid bioengineered foods need to be diligent in checking packaging for the required disclosures and understand the applicable exemptions. Relying on labels like USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified offers a clearer path for those seeking products free from genetically engineered ingredients. The standard represents a step towards transparency, but requires consumer engagement to be fully effective.

Citations

What you need to know about GMOs - Kaiser Permanente, Understanding the new bioengineered disclosure, Bioengineered Labeling Standards - Outpost Natural Foods, FS1334: New Labels for Bioengineered Foods

Frequently Asked Questions

While GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) is a common term, the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard uses the specific term 'bioengineered' to refer to foods with modified genetic material created using in vitro rDNA techniques. The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'bioengineered' is the official term for labeling purposes.

No, the bioengineered label is a marketing disclosure and does not convey any information about the health, safety, or environmental attributes of the food. According to scientific bodies like the FDA, currently available bioengineered foods are safe to eat.

No, not all foods are required to be labeled under the standard. Important exemptions include highly refined ingredients where genetic material is not detectable, products from animals fed BE crops, and food sold in restaurants.

If a package has a QR code, you can use a smartphone to scan it, which will take you to a website with the bioengineered food disclosure information. A phone number or text message option might also be available.

Some ingredients are so highly refined during processing (e.g., corn oil or sugar) that the modified genetic material is no longer detectable. These ingredients are exempt from mandatory disclosure.

The most reliable way to ensure a product contains no bioengineered ingredients is to look for the USDA Organic seal or the Non-GMO Project Verified label. Both of these prohibit the use of genetically engineered organisms.

The USDA maintains a list of bioengineered foods that is reviewed annually. This list helps companies determine if a product needs to be labeled based on the ingredients it contains.