Tag: Gmo labeling

According to the USDA, mandatory labeling for bioengineered foods began in the U.S. in 2022, but not all modified maize is labeled. Understanding whether modified maize is labeled in stores depends heavily on the country's specific regulations and the final product's composition.

Since January 2022, food manufacturers have been required to use a new term to disclose the presence of genetically modified ingredients, with an estimated 70-75% of processed foods in the U.S. containing them. This new labeling term used for GMO foods is "bioengineered" (BE), introduced under the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.

According to a 2018 study on mandatory labeling in Vermont, researchers observed a significant 19% reduction in consumer opposition toward genetically engineered foods following the policy's implementation. This real-world evidence suggests that transparency through GMO labeling can increase public trust by providing consumers with a sense of control over their food choices.

In the mid-1990s, the Papaya Ringspot Virus nearly destroyed the Hawaiian papaya industry, wiping out over half the production. In response, researchers developed a GMO papaya, creating a virus-resistant crop that ultimately saved the industry and became the dominant variety in Hawaii.

According to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey, 88% of scientists agreed that genetically modified (GM) foods were safe, while only 37% of the American public shared that view. This wide disparity in perception is a central reason why shouldn't GM foods be labeled, as mandatory labels could amplify public fears unsupported by science.

While over 60 countries worldwide have some form of mandatory GMO labeling, a significant number of others operate under voluntary guidelines or include major exemptions,. This creates a complex global landscape regarding disclosure, with some nations offering consumers no guaranteed way to identify genetically modified ingredients.

Food labels in the US contain an average of 3.1 additives per processed product, significantly higher than in the EU, where the average is 1.9. Understanding how are food labels in the US compared to Europe reveals important differences in regulatory approaches, nutritional information, and ingredient disclosure.

Did you know those tiny stickers on fruits and vegetables can reveal important information about how the produce was grown? According to the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), a five-digit Price Look Up (PLU) code starting with the number 9 is the organic sticker.

According to the product labels on several Lewis Bake Shop breads, such as their 100% Whole Wheat and Healthy Life Keto varieties, the packaging explicitly states the bread "Contains a bioengineered food ingredient". This direct disclosure, mandated by the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, answers the common consumer question: is Lewis bread bioengineered?

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard became mandatory on January 1, 2022, requiring most food companies to disclose if their products contain bioengineered food ingredients. This regulation establishes a uniform national standard, clarifying previous, and sometimes conflicting, state-level guidelines for genetically engineered foods.