Understanding the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), requires food manufacturers, importers, and other retailers to disclose the presence of bioengineered (BE) food ingredients. The law, which became mandatory for most products in 2022, aims to provide consumers with more information about the food they purchase. The USDA maintains an official list of bioengineered foods, which are crops or animals that have had a new gene inserted to provide a beneficial trait. This list includes common crops like corn, soybeans, canola, and sugar beets, which are often used to create processed ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, soy oil, canola oil, and sugar.
Common Bioengineered Crops and Their Derived Ingredients
Many of the most commonly bioengineered crops are not sold as whole foods but are processed into ingredients that make their way into thousands of everyday products. This can make it difficult for consumers to track, but the USDA has made it easier by establishing the disclosure standard.
- Corn: Much of the corn grown in the U.S. is bioengineered for pest or herbicide resistance. Common derivatives include cornstarch, corn oil, and high-fructose corn syrup found in sodas, snacks, and cereals.
- Soybeans: The vast majority of soybeans planted in the U.S. are bioengineered. They are processed into soybean oil, soy lecithin, and soy protein, which are ubiquitous ingredients in processed foods.
- Sugar Beets: Sugar beets are a major source of granulated sugar, and nearly all sugar beets grown in the U.S. are bioengineered. This means that many products sweetened with sugar may contain a BE ingredient.
- Canola: A significant portion of the canola crop is bioengineered, with the oil being used widely in cooking and processed snacks.
Major Brands and Their Disclosure Practices
Several large food and beverage companies have publicly acknowledged their use of bioengineered ingredients, though disclosure methods can vary. The NBFDS allows for several disclosure options: text on the package, a scannable QR code, or the official USDA BE symbol.
- PepsiCo: This company, which includes brands like Quaker, Frito-Lay, and Gatorade, has stated it may use bioengineered ingredients and complies with local regulations. For example, a consumer scanning a QR code on a Frito-Lay product might find a disclosure linking to a webpage identifying it as bioengineered.
- Nestlé: The multinational conglomerate uses GM ingredients in some products, with decisions often made at a local level based on regulations and consumer expectations.
- Unilever: While offering non-GMO options under brands like Ben & Jerry's and Hellmann's, Unilever acknowledges the safety of bioengineered ingredients and uses them in other products, following the NBFDS.
- Mondelēz International: This company, which produces Ritz Crackers and other snacks, is another major manufacturer that includes bioengineered ingredients in many of its products and provides appropriate disclosures.
- General Mills, Kellogg, Post, Campbell Soup, and ConAgra: Many of these companies have used on-package text or electronic methods to disclose bioengineered ingredients in their cereals, soups, and other products.
The Labeling of Derived Ingredients
One significant point of confusion for consumers is the distinction between bioengineered foods and ingredients derived from bioengineered crops. The NBFDS does not require disclosure for highly refined ingredients like corn oil, soy oil, or sugar, where the refining process has removed the modified genetic material. However, many companies voluntarily choose to include a disclosure for these derived ingredients anyway. This voluntary transparency helps consumers make more informed decisions, though it isn't legally mandated in all cases.
Comparison of Disclosure Methods
| Disclosure Method | Description | Example (Hypothetical) | Transparency Level | Common Brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-Package Text | A written statement on the product packaging, such as "Contains a bioengineered food ingredient." | A can of Campbell's soup stating, "The corn and soy ingredients in this product come from genetically modified crops." | High | Campbell Soup, General Mills |
| QR Code/Electronic | A scannable code links to a webpage with the BE food disclosure information. | A bag of PepsiCo's Frito-Lay chips with a code that, when scanned, takes the consumer to a website with the BE symbol. | Medium | PepsiCo, Coca-Cola |
| USDA BE Symbol | The official green-and-white circular symbol indicating the presence of bioengineered ingredients. | A bag of frozen potatoes with the USDA symbol clearly printed on the front. | High | Some store brands and manufacturers |
| Derived From | Voluntary disclosure for ingredients where modified genetic material is not detectable, such as refined oils or sugar. | A Wegmans store brand product stating it contains an ingredient derived from bioengineered sources. | Variable | Wegmans, Coca-Cola (sometimes voluntarily disclosed) |
Bioengineered Ingredients in Animal Feed
Beyond human-grade foods, it is important to note that many animals used for meat, dairy, and egg production are fed bioengineered crops like corn, soy, and alfalfa. Under the NBFDS, products like milk, cheese, eggs, and meat from animals fed BE crops do not require a bioengineered food disclosure. This is another key factor for consumers to consider when evaluating their food choices. For example, the same bioengineered corn that requires labeling in a box of cereal might be used in the feed for a chicken whose eggs are not required to be labeled. Consumers interested in avoiding this indirect path should consider looking for products with a USDA Organic label, which prohibits the use of bioengineered ingredients, including in animal feed.
Conclusion: Navigating the Grocery Aisle with Confidence
Numerous major food brands utilize bioengineered food ingredients in their product lines, especially those with products containing corn, soy, and sugar derivatives. Companies like PepsiCo, Nestlé, Unilever, and Campbell Soup have all been identified as using BE ingredients in some capacity. Thanks to the USDA's NBFDS, consumers have more information than ever before, with disclosures appearing as on-package text, QR codes, or the official BE symbol. While the system has limitations, particularly concerning refined ingredients and animal feed, understanding the standard and paying attention to labels allows consumers to make more informed choices about what they are buying and eating. The rise of transparency, even if imperfect, empowers shoppers to align their purchases with their values, whether they are focused on avoiding bioengineered ingredients or are simply interested in knowing more about their food's origins.
