Decoding Food Labels: How Do I Tell If My Food Is Bioengineered?

October 22, 2025 •

3 min read

Since mandatory compliance began on January 1, 2022, consumers have been able to spot bioengineered food by looking for specific disclosures on packaging. This guide will help you understand how to tell if your food is bioengineered by recognizing the different labeling options used by manufacturers.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the different ways to identify bioengineered food on product packaging, from text labels to symbols and QR codes. It also covers significant labeling exemptions and contrasts the mandatory BE disclosure with voluntary non-GMO certifications.

Key Points

Scan for the Symbols: Look for the circular 'BIOENGINEERED' symbol or a text disclosure on food labels to identify bioengineered ingredients.
Check Digital Links: A QR code or a text-for-information number on the package can also provide a mandatory bioengineered food disclosure.
Understand Label Exemptions: Not all bioengineered-derived products, especially highly refined ingredients like oils and sugars, require mandatory labeling under USDA rules.
Choose Certified Organic for Avoidance: The USDA Organic seal is a reliable indicator, as this program prohibits all bioengineered ingredients.
Recognize the Non-GMO Project Seal: For an extra layer of verification, look for the Non-GMO Project butterfly seal, which has stricter guidelines than the federal standard.
Know the Exempted Foods: Food served in restaurants and products from animals fed bioengineered feed are exempt from mandatory disclosure.

The introduction of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) in the United States requires food manufacturers, importers, and retailers to disclose if a food product is bioengineered (BE) or contains BE ingredients. The government uses the term 'bioengineered' for a subset of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This standard applies to most foods under FDA and, sometimes, USDA jurisdiction. However, meat, poultry, and egg products from animals fed BE feed are not required to be labeled.

Identifying Bioengineered Food Labels

Manufacturers have several options for disclosing BE ingredients on packaging:

Text: Look for phrases like “Bioengineered food” or “Contains a bioengineered food ingredient”.
Symbol: A green and white circular symbol with “BIOENGINEERED” may be used.
Digital Link: A QR code that links to a page with BE information can be included, often with text like “Scan here for more food information”. This link should be free of marketing.
Text Message: A phone number may be provided for texting a command word to get BE information.
Website/Phone: Small manufacturers can use a website address or phone number.

Key Exemptions to the Rule

Not all foods derived from bioengineering require a BE label due to several exemptions:

Highly Refined Ingredients: Ingredients processed to the point where modified DNA is undetectable, like some corn oils or sugar from sugar beets, do not need a mandatory disclosure. A voluntary 'Derived from Bioengineering' label might be used instead.
Animal Products: As noted, meat, milk, or eggs from animals fed BE feed are exempt.
Restaurants: Food served in restaurants and similar food-service establishments is not covered by the standard.
Organic Foods: USDA certified organic foods are exempt because organic standards prohibit genetic engineering.

Voluntary Non-GMO Labeling

Some consumers may also look for the Non-GMO Project seal. This is a voluntary third-party verification indicating a product meets their standard for avoiding genetically modified ingredients. Their criteria can be more rigorous than the USDA's mandatory BE rules. The butterfly seal signifies this verification.

Comparing Labels: USDA Bioengineered vs. Non-GMO Project

Here’s a comparison of the key differences:


Feature	USDA Bioengineered Disclosure	Non-GMO Project Verification
Standard	Mandatory federal regulation	Voluntary third-party verification
Detection	Required for detectable modified genetic material	Aims for a lower threshold for ingredients
Refined Ingredients	Exempt if modified DNA is not detectable	Verifies absence in all ingredients
Exemptions	Significant exemptions exist	Fewer exemptions
Symbol	Standardized circular symbol	Distinctive butterfly seal
Purpose	Inform about BE ingredient presence	Market products as non-GMO

Tips for Shopping Smart

To identify or avoid BE foods:

Look for the USDA BE text, symbol, QR code, or phone number on packaging.
Choose USDA Certified Organic for a guarantee against bioengineered ingredients.
Seek the Non-GMO Project seal for stricter non-GMO verification.
Be mindful that highly processed foods and restaurant meals may not be labeled, even if derived from BE sources. Opt for organic in these cases if avoiding BE is a priority.

Conclusion

Understanding food labels is essential for identifying bioengineered foods. The USDA's mandatory BE disclosure provides key information, but it's important to be aware of the exemptions. For those wishing to avoid bioengineered ingredients entirely, the USDA Organic certification offers the most comprehensive assurance. The voluntary Non-GMO Project verification provides an additional layer of scrutiny. By using these tools and understanding the rules, consumers can make more informed decisions about the food they buy.

Visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website for the official List of Bioengineered Foods

Frequently Asked Questions

The USDA's bioengineered food label is a mandatory disclosure for certain foods with detectable modified DNA. The Non-GMO Project label is a voluntary third-party verification that indicates a product meets a specific standard for avoiding GMO ingredients, which is often more stringent.

Highly refined oils and sugars derived from bioengineered crops, such as canola oil or sugar from sugar beets, do not require a mandatory bioengineered food disclosure if the modified genetic material is not detectable in the final product.

No. The bioengineered food label is for consumer information and does not indicate any safety or health attributes of the food. Scientific and federal health authorities have stated that bioengineered foods available today are safe to eat.

Several exemptions exist under the NBFDS. These include foods with undetectable modified DNA (like refined oils), products from animals that consumed bioengineered feed, and food served in restaurants.

For the most reliable assurance of avoiding bioengineered food, look for products certified by the USDA Organic program, as genetic engineering is an excluded practice for organic production.

Yes, some manufacturers use a text message disclosure with a phone number or an electronic/digital link like a QR code on packaging. When used, these methods must provide the required bioengineered food information.

The term 'bioengineered' was chosen by the USDA for the disclosure standard and refers to a narrower subset of genetically modified organisms. This means some products made with GMOs may not be required to carry a bioengineered disclosure.