Starting in January 2020, bioengineered foods must be disclosed on the label. The Bioengineered Food Disclosure Labeling (NBFDS or Standard) law was passed in 2016, with instructions for the USDA to begin implementing it.
What counts as bioengineered food?
While bioengineered foods may conjure up images of the public-dreaded GMOs, there are some distinctions between the two. According to the USDA, it includes foods with “detectable genetic material that has been modified through certain lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature.”
Although this definition includes some GMO or GE (genetically engineered) foods, it does not cover all. How this labeling will affect the public opinion of bioengineered food and GMOs has yet to be determined, but this study suggests it may have a positive outcome.
For the bakery sector, some key ingredients included under NBFDS are:
- Canola
- Corn
- Potato
- Soybean
- Sugarbeet
For these foods, records must be maintained, and the ingredients must be disclosed on labels via text, symbol, electronic or digital link or text message.
When does this all go into effect?
Here are some important dates to remember:
- Implementation date of the Standard: January 1, 2020
- Small food manufacturers: January 1, 2021
- Mandatory compliance: January 1, 2022
Regulated entities may voluntarily comply with the Standard until December 31, 2021
How can you prepare?
As with any labeling requirement, don’t wait until the last minute to get started. In today’s baking industry, you can’t escape bioengineered foods. Without fully understanding the requirements and nuances, you open your brand up to unnecessary problems.
A few things to begin working through are:
- Differentiating between which FDA and USDA foods are subject to disclosure
- Knowing how long records must be kept
- Summarizing the various disclosure methods
- A plan for the thoughtfulness and examination this regulation requires
To help you know the ends and outs of this regulation, and next steps to take, AIB International is offering a how-to webinar. You can join in a conversation about bioengineered foods and how to correctly disclose their presence on your package label. Whether you’re a labeling professional, product developer, food company management, dietitian or graphic designer, you’ll benefit from this course.
2020 may feel a long way off, but there’s a lot to prepare to be in compliance. Get started now on finding the best way to prepare for bioengineering food labeling.
