The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
Starting January 1, 2022, a federal law known as the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) came into effect, requiring food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers to disclose foods that contain bioengineered ingredients. The law was passed in 2016 following strong public demand for increased transparency regarding genetically engineered foods. Before this, a patchwork of state-specific labeling laws created inconsistencies across the country. The USDA, through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), developed and oversees the national standard.
What does "bioengineered" mean?
The term "bioengineered" (BE) is the federal government's specific legal term for certain types of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The official USDA definition states that a bioengineered food contains "detectable genetic material that has been modified through certain lab techniques and for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature".
Bioengineered vs. GMO
While many people use "bioengineered" and "GMO" interchangeably, the legal definition of BE is actually narrower. Here are the key distinctions:
- Detectability of Genetic Material: A product is only required to have a BE label if it contains detectable modified genetic material. Highly refined products like corn oil or sugar made from bioengineered crops lose their modified DNA during processing, so they are not required to be labeled.
- Intentional vs. Unintentional: The standard only applies to ingredients that intentionally contain a bioengineered substance. There is an allowance for inadvertent presence of bioengineered material up to 5% for each ingredient.
- Animal Products: Food products like meat, milk, and eggs from animals that have consumed bioengineered feed are exempt from the labeling requirement.
- Legal vs. Common Term: While consumers often use the broader term "GMO," the NBFDS mandates the use of the term "bioengineered" or its symbol for disclosure.
How to spot a bioengineered label
Manufacturers have several options for disclosing bioengineered ingredients:
- Text Disclosure: A statement on the packaging, often near the ingredient list, that reads "Bioengineered food" or "Contains a bioengineered food ingredient".
- Symbol Disclosure: A green, circular symbol with the word "BIOENGINEERED" prominently displayed.
- Electronic or Digital Link: A QR code on the package that can be scanned with a smartphone to access a webpage with the disclosure information.
- Text Message Disclosure: A phone number on the package that consumers can text to receive the disclosure.
Some manufacturers may voluntarily disclose ingredients "derived from bioengineering" for highly refined products that don't contain detectable modified DNA, using a similar symbol or text.
Common bioengineered ingredients
According to the USDA's official List of Bioengineered Foods, several key crops are commercially available in bioengineered form. This is not an exhaustive list, as it is updated periodically.
Common Bioengineered Crops and Products:
- Corn: Most U.S. corn is bioengineered and used in a wide range of products, including cornstarch, corn syrup, and corn oil, as well as animal feed.
- Soybeans: A significant portion of the global soybean crop is bioengineered, used for soybean oil, soy lecithin, and animal feed.
- Sugar Beets: Over half of the granulated sugar sold in U.S. supermarkets comes from bioengineered sugar beets.
- Canola: Bioengineered canola is grown for canola oil.
- Alfalfa: Bioengineered alfalfa is primarily used for animal feed.
- Papaya: The 'Rainbow' papaya variety grown in Hawaii was developed to resist the ringspot virus.
- Summer Squash: Some varieties are engineered to resist certain viruses.
- Potatoes: Arctic® apples and some potato varieties have been engineered to resist browning and bruising.
- Salmon: The AquAdvantage® salmon is a bioengineered animal designed to grow faster.
Bioengineered ingredients and your health
One of the most persistent questions regarding bioengineered foods is about their safety. A consensus among major scientific and health organizations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Academy of Sciences, is that currently available BE foods are safe to eat. They have found no evidence that these foods pose greater health risks than their conventional counterparts.
Scientific findings on safety
- Nutritional Equivalence: Studies generally find no significant nutritional differences between bioengineered and non-bioengineered foods. Some crops have been modified to improve their nutritional profile, such as 'Golden Rice' enriched with Vitamin A.
- No Increased Allergies: Scientific testing is conducted during the development of bioengineered crops to ensure no new allergens are created.
- No Link to Cancer: Decades of research have not found any evidence linking BE foods to an increased risk of cancer in humans.
Comparison Table: USDA Bioengineered vs. Non-GMO Project Verified
| Feature | USDA Bioengineered Label | Non-GMO Project Verified | Non-GMO Claim | USDA Organic Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Status | Mandatory for regulated foods | Voluntary | Voluntary | Mandatory for certified organic products |
| Definition | Contains detectable modified genetic material not found in nature or conventional breeding. | Follows a strict standard for GMO avoidance. | No regulated standard; varies by company. | Products grown and processed according to the National Organic Program standards. |
| Scope | Detectable BE DNA only; exempts highly refined ingredients and animal products from BE-fed animals. | Traces ingredients back to source, stricter on animal feed, and covers refined ingredients. | Can be less comprehensive and is not third-party verified. | Excludes use of genetically engineered organisms in production methods. |
| Verification | Manufacturer-maintained records subject to USDA audit. | Third-party verification and testing. | Not third-party verified. | Certified by USDA-accredited agents. |
What you can do as a consumer
If you want to manage or limit bioengineered ingredients in your diet, here are some actionable tips:
- Read Labels Carefully: Familiarize yourself with the text and symbol disclosures required by the NBFDS. Pay close attention to ingredients in processed foods.
- Look for Alternatives: Seek out products labeled as "USDA Organic" or "Non-GMO Project Verified." The USDA Organic seal prohibits the use of bioengineered ingredients, and the Non-GMO Project has a more comprehensive standard.
- Choose Whole Foods: Focus on unprocessed foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are less likely to contain bioengineered additives or ingredients.
- Understand Exemptions: Be aware that some common ingredients derived from BE crops, such as corn oil and sugar, are exempt from mandatory labeling if no detectable modified DNA remains.
- Support Local Farmers: Shopping at farmers' markets or directly from local farms can provide more information on how your food is grown.
For more information on the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, you can visit the official USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website.
Conclusion
The presence of a "bioengineered ingredient" label is not a statement on food safety but a federally mandated disclosure that empowers consumers with information. The labels are the result of years of debate and represent a compromise between providing transparency and acknowledging the widespread use of genetic engineering in the food supply. By understanding the specifics of the NBFDS, its exemptions, and its relationship to other labels like "Organic" and "Non-GMO Verified," you can make dietary choices that align with your personal preferences and values. For those who prioritize avoidance of bioengineered foods, looking for the USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified label remains the most comprehensive approach.
The debate surrounding bioengineered foods
Beyond consumer labeling, the use of bioengineered crops is part of a larger ongoing debate within the nutrition and food technology fields. While regulatory bodies and major scientific organizations agree on the safety of currently available bioengineered foods, some critics voice concerns about the long-term, systemic impacts of this technology.
Potential benefits
- Increased Crop Yields: Genetic modifications can lead to more efficient crop growth, helping to meet the food demands of a growing global population.
- Pest and Drought Resistance: Engineered crops can withstand pests and harsh environmental conditions, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and improving crop stability.
- Nutritional Enhancement: Some bioengineered crops are designed to have enhanced nutritional profiles, which can help combat malnutrition in certain regions.
- Reduced Food Waste: Certain modifications, like apples that resist browning, can decrease food waste.
Potential criticisms and concerns
- Environmental Impact: Some critics worry about the environmental consequences, such as the potential for herbicide-resistant "superweeds" to emerge due to widespread use of herbicide-tolerant crops.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Concerns exist about the power of biotech companies that hold patents on seeds, which can affect farmers' autonomy and potentially lead to a less equitable food system.
- Narrow Labeling: Advocacy groups argue that the NBFDS is not transparent enough due to its exemptions for highly refined ingredients and its use of the term "bioengineered" instead of the more familiar "GMO".
This debate highlights that while the science indicates current bioengineered foods are safe for consumption, broader environmental and socioeconomic considerations continue to be discussed. Ultimately, the new labeling standard provides consumers with a starting point to engage with these issues and better understand what's in their food.
List of what you might find a bioengineered label on
- Cereal containing bioengineered corn flour
- Snack chips made with bioengineered soybean oil (if it still contains detectable DNA)
- Packaged frozen fries made from bioengineered potatoes
- A fruit cup with bioengineered papaya
- Premixed baked goods containing flour from bioengineered sugar beets
- A prepackaged salad with dressing containing bioengineered canola oil (if detectable DNA remains)
- Prepared frozen meals with a bioengineered vegetable ingredient
- Farmed fish (AquAdvantage® salmon)
How to avoid bioengineered foods altogether
If you want to avoid bioengineered foods entirely, the most reliable strategy is to choose products that are certified USDA Organic. By law, USDA Organic standards prohibit the use of genetically engineered organisms. For more specific information, looking for the Non-GMO Project Verified label can provide further assurance, as its standards are more comprehensive than the NBFDS labeling requirements. Reading ingredient lists carefully and opting for whole, unprocessed foods can also significantly reduce your intake of potential bioengineered ingredients.
Conclusion
The presence of a "bioengineered ingredient" label is not a statement on food safety but a federally mandated disclosure that empowers consumers with information. The labels are the result of years of debate and represent a compromise between providing transparency and acknowledging the widespread use of genetic engineering in the food supply. By understanding the specifics of the NBFDS, its exemptions, and its relationship to other labels like "Organic" and "Non-GMO Verified," you can make dietary choices that align with your personal preferences and values. For those who prioritize avoidance of bioengineered foods, looking for the USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified label remains the most comprehensive approach.
