Do Motts Fruit Snacks Have Bioengineered Ingredients?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the packaging and parent company General Mills, Motts fruit snacks contain bioengineered ingredients. This disclosure is required under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which ensures consumers are aware of products containing genetically modified components. Understanding this labeling helps you make informed choices about the food you and your family consume.

Quick Summary

Motts fruit snacks include bioengineered ingredients, clearly stated on the packaging. The presence of corn syrup and modified corn starch, derived from genetically engineered crops, triggers the required disclosure. This information is transparently shared via packaging and the manufacturer's website.

Key Points

Contains Bioengineered Ingredients: Mott's fruit snacks include ingredients derived from bioengineered sources, requiring disclosure under federal law.
Key Bioengineered Components: The primary ingredients triggering the BE label are corn syrup and modified corn starch, which are typically sourced from genetically engineered corn.
Labeling is Mandatory: The disclosure is a result of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, a federal regulation designed for consumer transparency.
Does Not Imply Unsafety: The presence of BE ingredients does not mean the product is unsafe; scientific bodies consider these foods safe.
Organic Alternatives Exist: Consumers can find products without bioengineered ingredients by looking for the USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified labels.
Manufacturer Confirms: General Mills, the parent company, confirms the use of bioengineered ingredients and directs consumers to its website for more information.
Personal Choice is Key: The labeling allows individuals to make informed purchasing decisions based on their preferences, values, and nutritional goals.

Understanding the 'Bioengineered' Label on Mott's Fruit Snacks

For many parents and health-conscious individuals, the question of whether a favorite snack contains bioengineered ingredients is a key factor in their purchasing decisions. In the case of Mott's fruit snacks, the answer is a clear yes, and this information is prominently disclosed on the product packaging. The inclusion of ingredients like corn syrup and modified corn starch, which are frequently derived from genetically engineered crops, necessitates this labeling under federal regulations. This article will delve into what this labeling means for consumers, explore the specific ingredients involved, and provide a comparison with other snack options.

What are Bioengineered Ingredients?

Bioengineered (BE) ingredients are those that contain detectable genetic material modified through in vitro rDNA techniques, which cannot be achieved through conventional breeding or found in nature. This technology allows for the precise alteration of genetic makeup in plants, such as corn and soybeans, to create traits like pest resistance or increased yield. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to provide a consistent, national standard for labeling foods that contain these ingredients. For products like Mott's fruit snacks, the presence of ingredients derived from genetically engineered corn means the manufacturer, General Mills, must include the BE disclosure. This mandate was phased in to be fully enforceable by January 1, 2022.

Key Ingredients in Mott's Fruit Snacks

The primary ingredients leading to the bioengineered disclosure in Mott's fruit snacks are corn syrup and modified corn starch. Corn is one of the most common genetically engineered crops in the United States, and its derivatives are used widely throughout the food industry. While the final product may contain very little, if any, of the original genetic material, the BE labeling is still required to inform consumers of the ingredient's origin. Other components of Mott's fruit snacks include a mix of fruit juice concentrates (pear, apple, carrot), sugar, citric acid, and natural flavors. The specific formulation can vary slightly depending on the flavor and product line.

Here is a list of common ingredients and their potential bioengineered status:

Corn Syrup: A sweetener widely used in many processed foods. The corn used to produce it is often genetically engineered.
Modified Corn Starch: Used as a thickening agent. This ingredient is also commonly sourced from bioengineered corn.
Sugar: While not all sugar is from BE crops, sugar from sugar beets is predominantly genetically engineered in the U.S..
Canola Oil: Used in some varieties, canola is another crop with significant bioengineered variants.
Fruit Juice Concentrates: Typically from non-BE fruits like apple and pear, but sourcing should be verified for certainty.

Labeling and Consumer Choice

The implementation of the BE labeling standard has transformed how consumers can access information about their food. While the new standard provides transparency, it's important to understand what the disclosure actually means. The label indicates the presence of an ingredient with bioengineered origins; it does not speak to the product's safety or nutritional value. The scientific consensus, supported by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), is that bioengineered foods are as safe as their conventional counterparts. However, consumer preferences differ, and the label empowers individuals to make choices based on their personal convictions about food sourcing and production.

For those seeking alternatives, looking for products with the USDA Organic seal or a 'Non-GMO Project Verified' label is the best route. USDA Organic regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered ingredients, and the Non-GMO Project provides independent third-party verification.

Comparison: Mott's Fruit Snacks vs. Organic Alternatives


Feature	Mott's Fruit Snacks	Organic Fruit Snacks (e.g., Annie's)
Bioengineered Ingredients	Yes, contains ingredients from BE sources like corn.	No, prohibits the use of genetically engineered ingredients.
Ingredient Sourcing	Ingredients like corn syrup and modified corn starch are often sourced from GE crops.	Uses organic ingredients, free from GE sources by regulation.
Cost	Typically less expensive due to conventional farming practices.	Often more expensive due to higher costs of organic farming.
Sweeteners	High content of corn syrup and sugar.	Uses organic sweeteners like tapioca syrup or organic sugar.
Certification	No organic or Non-GMO certification.	Typically carries USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified seals.
Flavoring	Uses a mix of natural flavors and juice concentrates.	Uses natural and organic flavorings.

What the Manufacturer Says

General Mills, the parent company of Mott's, directly acknowledges the presence of bioengineered ingredients in its products. Their website, Ask.GeneralMills.com, and product packaging provide information to consumers seeking to learn more. This approach reflects compliance with federal labeling laws and a commitment to transparency, allowing consumers to look up additional information directly from the source. The company's stance aligns with the broader food industry's adaptation to new labeling standards, ensuring clarity for those who seek it.

Conclusion

The question, "Do Motts fruit snacks have bioengineered ingredients?" is answered directly and transparently by the manufacturer and on the product's packaging. The presence of ingredients like corn syrup and modified corn starch, which are derived from genetically engineered crops, triggers the mandatory bioengineered food disclosure. While this does not imply a safety issue, it provides consumers with the information they need to align their food choices with their personal dietary preferences. For those who wish to avoid bioengineered ingredients, seeking products with USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified labels is the most reliable strategy. The labeling standard offers clarity, empowering all consumers to make informed decisions at the grocery store.

Source: For more information on the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term 'bioengineered' is the official designation under the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which replaced the more informal term 'GMO' (genetically modified organism) for labeling purposes. While the terms are often used interchangeably by the public, 'bioengineered' has a specific legal definition relating to in vitro rDNA techniques.

Bioengineered ingredients are included because common food components like corn syrup and modified corn starch are often sourced from genetically engineered crops. This is a common practice across the food industry for many processed products.

No, the label only indicates the product's use of bioengineered ingredients and does not comment on its nutritional value or safety. The snacks are still considered a treat high in sugar by some health groups.

To ensure a snack does not contain bioengineered ingredients, look for products with the USDA Organic seal or the Non-GMO Project Verified label on the packaging.

Not necessarily. The presence of bioengineered ingredients depends on the specific product's formulation. Always check the packaging for the bioengineered food disclosure to confirm.

The standard applies to foods intended for direct human consumption that contain a certain threshold of bioengineered genetic material. It does not apply to foods with de minimis amounts, restaurants, or meat products without a significant non-meat component.

General Mills, the parent company of Mott's, directs consumers to its website, Ask.GeneralMills.com, for more detailed information about the ingredients used in its products.