What Does It Mean When Food Labels Say Bioengineered?

Since mandatory compliance began in January 2022, many consumers have noticed the term “bioengineered” or a new symbol on food packaging, often causing confusion. This disclosure is required by the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) for foods containing detectable genetic material that has been modified using certain laboratory techniques.

Quick Summary

The appearance of "bioengineered" on food labels signifies the product contains detectable modified genetic material. This is mandated by a federal standard to provide consumers with more information about specific ingredients, though it's not a safety or health indicator. Not all genetically modified ingredients require disclosure due to exemptions.

Key Points

• Official Definition: "Bioengineered" (BE) refers to foods with detectable genetic material modified in a lab using recombinant DNA techniques, not possible through conventional breeding.

• Legal Mandate: The USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) has required BE labeling since January 1, 2022, to provide consumer information.

• Distinction from GMO: The term BE is narrower than the common term GMO. Many foods derived from GMOs do not require a BE label if the modified DNA is not detectable in the final product.

• Labeling Methods: Manufacturers can disclose BE ingredients using text, a circular symbol, a QR code, or a text message number.

• Key Exemptions: Highly refined ingredients (like corn syrup or soybean oil), most meat products, and food from animals fed BE crops are often exempt from labeling requirements.

• Not a Safety Indicator: The BE disclosure is for information only and does not imply any health, safety, or nutritional difference from non-BE foods, according to regulatory bodies.

• Beyond the Label: For those seeking to avoid all GMOs, the Non-GMO Project seal or USDA Organic certification provides a more comprehensive standard than the mandatory BE label alone.

Demystifying the Bioengineered Food Disclosure

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), effective since 2022, established a federal requirement for disclosing bioengineered ingredients in food. A food is considered bioengineered (BE) if it contains genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA techniques that are not possible through conventional breeding or found in nature. This standard aims to provide consumers with uniform information nationwide.

Bioengineered vs. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

The NBFDS uses the term "bioengineered" to specifically describe foods made with certain laboratory methods. While BE foods are a type of GMO, the NBFDS definition is narrower, focusing on the presence of detectable modified genetic material in the final product. This distinguishes BE from the broader term GMO.

Labeling Options for Bioengineered Foods

Manufacturers can choose from several methods to disclose bioengineered ingredients. These include:

• Text Disclosure: A statement like "Bioengineered food" or "Contains a bioengineered food ingredient".
• Symbol Disclosure: An approved symbol with the word "BIOENGINEERED".
• Electronic or Digital Link: A QR code directing to product information that includes the BE disclosure.
• Text Message: Instructions to text for information.

Key Exemptions in the Standard

Several exemptions mean not all foods with ingredients from bioengineered crops are labeled. These include:

• Highly Refined Ingredients: Products where processing removes detectable modified genetic material (e.g., certain oils or sugars) are exempt.
• Meat, Poultry, and Eggs: Products primarily consisting of these are exempt, even if other BE ingredients are present.
• Animal Feed: Products from animals fed BE crops are not labeled BE.
• Small Manufacturers and Restaurants: These are generally exempt.
• Inadvertent Contamination: A small threshold for unintentional BE material is allowed without disclosure.

Comparing Voluntary and Mandatory Labeling

To understand your options, compare the mandatory BE label with voluntary certifications:

Feature	Bioengineered (BE) Disclosure (Mandatory)	Non-GMO Project Verification (Voluntary)
Governing Body	USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)	The Non-GMO Project (non-profit)
Scope	Focuses on detectable modified genetic material	Rigorous standard to avoid genetically engineered ingredients
Labeling	Specific USDA text, symbol, QR code, or text message	Non-GMO Project butterfly logo
Exemptions	Includes refined ingredients, animal feed, restaurants, small manufacturers	Strict non-GMO requirements without these exemptions
Detectability	Requires labeling only if modified genetic material is detectable	Based on ingredient sourcing, not just detectability

What are the safety and health implications?

Leading scientific bodies like the FDA and the National Academies of Sciences have concluded that approved bioengineered foods are safe and pose no unique health risks compared to non-BE foods. The BE label is informational, not a safety warning. Public concerns about potential allergenicity or environmental impacts exist, though extensive research supports the safety of approved products. The labels provide transparency for consumers to make choices based on their values.

Conclusion: Navigating the Bioengineered Food Landscape

The "bioengineered" label enhances transparency in food labeling. Understanding the specific definition and exemptions of the federal standard is key for consumers. Those wishing to avoid all genetically engineered ingredients may also consider the Non-GMO Project seal or USDA Organic label, which prohibits BE entirely. Knowing the labeling standards empowers informed decisions about the food you purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bioengineered foods safe to eat?

Yes. Major scientific and regulatory bodies, including the FDA and the National Academies of Sciences, have found bioengineered foods to be as safe as their non-bioengineered counterparts. The BE label is purely for consumer information, not a health warning.

Is "bioengineered" the same as "GMO"?

No. While bioengineered foods are a type of genetically modified organism (GMO), the USDA's legal definition for "bioengineered" is more specific and narrower than the general term GMO. A food can be derived from GMOs but not require a BE label.

Why don't some foods made with GMO ingredients have a BE label?

This is due to exemptions in the federal standard. Highly refined ingredients like corn oil and sugar lose their modified DNA during processing, making it undetectable in the final product and thus exempt from labeling. There are also exemptions for meat products and very small manufacturers.

What is the difference between the BE label and the Non-GMO Project seal?

The BE label is a mandatory disclosure based on a federal standard, while the Non-GMO Project seal is a voluntary, third-party certification with more rigorous and comprehensive standards for avoiding genetically engineered ingredients.

How can I identify bioengineered foods on a package?

Look for one of four possible disclosures: the words "Bioengineered food," the circular BE symbol, a QR code that says "Scan for more food information," or a text message number.

Are organic foods also bioengineered?

No. The USDA's Organic certification prohibits the use of bioengineered organisms and ingredients. Therefore, any product with the USDA Organic seal will not contain bioengineered ingredients.

Is food from animals fed BE crops also labeled as bioengineered?

No. A food derived from an animal is not considered a bioengineered food solely because the animal consumed feed produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance.