In an era where consumers are increasingly keen on understanding what goes into their food, the topic of Bioengineered Food Ingredients has taken center stage. Navigating food labels can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code, especially when it comes to terms like “bioengineered.” This article aims to shed light on recent updates to food labeling regulations in the United States, focusing on bioengineered foods and what these changes mean for both consumers and the food industry. We’ll delve into the latest revisions to the list of bioengineered foods, providing clarity and insights into this evolving aspect of food transparency.
Understanding Bioengineered Foods and the Disclosure Standard
To understand the recent changes, it’s crucial to first grasp what exactly constitutes a bioengineered food. According to the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, a bioengineered (BE) food is defined as food that contains genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques. This modification is one that cannot be achieved through conventional breeding or found in nature. Think of it as a precise, modern way to enhance certain traits in food crops, such as resistance to pests or viruses.
In 2016, the U.S. Congress mandated the establishment of a national, uniform standard for disclosing foods that are or may be bioengineered. This led to the creation of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, with regulations becoming effective in 2019 and mandatory compliance starting in 2022. The core of this standard is the List of Bioengineered Foods (the List). This list serves as a guide, outlining which foods are presumed to be bioengineered and thus require disclosure.
It’s important to note that the List isn’t exhaustive. If a food or ingredient comes from an item on the List, it generally requires a bioengineered food disclosure. However, even if a food isn’t on the List, disclosure is still necessary if a regulated entity has actual knowledge that the food or ingredient is bioengineered. Conversely, if a company uses an ingredient from the List, they can avoid disclosure if they have records proving that the ingredient is not bioengineered. This system is designed to ensure transparency while also being practical for food producers and suppliers.
Updates to the Bioengineered Food List: Sugarcane and Summer Squash
Recently, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced updates to this crucial list. These updates, effective December 29, 2023, with a compliance date of June 23, 2025, involve two key changes: the addition of “sugarcane (Bt insect-resistant varieties)” and an amendment to “squash (summer),” now specified as “squash (summer, coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties).” These revisions reflect the dynamic nature of food technology and the ongoing effort to refine the disclosure standard for clarity and accuracy.
Sugarcane: Adding Insect-Resistant Varieties to the List
The addition of “sugarcane (Bt insect-resistant varieties)” to the List is a significant update. This addition means that certain types of bioengineered sugarcane, specifically those engineered for insect resistance using Bt technology, are now included in the list of foods presumed to be bioengineered.
A vast sugarcane field in Brazil, where Bt insect-resistant varieties are commercially produced, now included in the updated bioengineered food list.
This decision was made after careful consideration and public consultation. While bioengineered sugarcane might not be widely grown in the United States, it is commercially produced in other parts of the world, notably Brazil. The USDA clarified that there’s no requirement for a bioengineered food to be domestically produced to be added to the List. The criteria for inclusion are whether the food has been authorized for commercial production somewhere globally and if it’s currently in legal commercial production for human food in any country. Given that bioengineered sugarcane from Brazil could potentially enter the U.S. food supply as an ingredient, its inclusion in the List ensures that consumers are informed about its potential bioengineered status.
Some concerns were raised during the public comment period, with some arguing that adding sugarcane would place an undue burden on the industry, especially since refined sugar from sugarcane might not contain detectable modified genetic material. However, the USDA responded by emphasizing that the List creates a presumption. Inclusion doesn’t automatically mean that all products from sugarcane are bioengineered. It simply means that regulated entities must make a bioengineered food disclosure unless they have records proving that the sugar they use does not contain detectable modified genetic material or qualifies for an exemption. This approach balances consumer right-to-know with practical considerations for the food industry.
Summer Squash: Refining the Definition for Virus Resistance
The second update involves refining the listing for “squash (summer).” Previously, “squash (summer)” was broadly listed. The update specifies it as “squash (summer, coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties).” This change narrows down the scope, focusing on specific bioengineered summer squash varieties that are virus-resistant due to coat protein-mediated technology.
A vibrant close-up of summer squash, a common vegetable now more precisely defined on the bioengineered food list to include only coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties.
This amendment came in response to the need for greater precision in the List. While there are bioengineered summer squash varieties that are virus-resistant, not all summer squash is bioengineered. By adding the modifier “coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties,” the USDA is providing a more specific descriptor, helping to distinguish between bioengineered and non-bioengineered summer squash.
The term “coat protein-mediated virus resistance” refers to a specific type of genetic modification where a gene from a virus, encoding for its coat protein, is introduced into the plant. This technology confers resistance to certain viral diseases. By using this precise modifier, the List now more accurately reflects the types of summer squash that are bioengineered, ensuring that only these specific varieties are presumed to require disclosure. Summer squash varieties that are not modified in this way, including those with natural virus resistance or resistance achieved through conventional breeding, are not presumed to be bioengineered under this updated listing.
Public Comments and USDA Responses
The USDA’s decision to update the List was informed by public comments received on the proposed rule. These comments highlighted various perspectives from individuals, consumer groups, companies, and food industry organizations.
On the addition of sugarcane, while many supported providing more information to consumers, some commenters raised concerns about the burden on the industry and questioned the necessity, given that refined sugar might not contain detectable modified genetic material. The USDA, in response, reiterated that the List establishes a presumption and that regulated entities have pathways to demonstrate non-bioengineered status through recordkeeping and testing, if necessary.
Regarding summer squash, most commenters agreed with the need for a modifier to provide more specific information. One commenter suggested that the initial proposed modifier, “mosaic virus-resistant varieties,” was still too broad. In response, the USDA further refined the modifier to “coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties,” recognizing that this term is more technically accurate and specific to the bioengineered varieties, excluding non-bioengineered virus-resistant squash.
Implications and What it Means for You
These updates to the List of Bioengineered Foods are important for several reasons:
- Enhanced Consumer Information: The changes aim to provide consumers with more accurate and detailed information about bioengineered foods. By specifically listing “sugarcane (Bt insect-resistant varieties)” and refining “squash (summer)” to “squash (summer, coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties),” the List becomes more precise, aiding consumers in understanding which products might be bioengineered.
- Clarity for the Food Industry: For food manufacturers, processors, and retailers, these updates offer greater clarity on which foods are presumed to be bioengineered. The refined list helps them in making informed decisions about disclosure and in establishing necessary recordkeeping practices.
- Maintaining Transparency: These updates underscore the ongoing commitment to transparency in the food system. As new bioengineered foods are developed and enter the market, the List is intended to be a living document, updated to reflect the current landscape of bioengineered products.
For consumers, these changes reinforce the importance of looking at food labels for bioengineered food disclosures. While the label itself might use symbols or text to indicate a bioengineered food ingredient, understanding the List and its updates provides a deeper context to these labels.
For the food industry, particularly those dealing with sugarcane or summer squash, it’s crucial to understand these updated requirements. Companies need to review their supply chains and ensure they have the necessary records to substantiate whether their products require bioengineered food disclosure. The compliance date of June 23, 2025, provides a transition period for the industry to adapt to these changes.
Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Food Labeling
The updates to the List of Bioengineered Foods are a testament to the evolving nature of food regulations and the continuous effort to enhance transparency. By adding sugarcane and refining the definition of summer squash on the List, the USDA is taking steps to ensure that the disclosure standard remains relevant, accurate, and informative.
As the landscape of food technology continues to advance, staying informed about these changes is crucial for both consumers and the food industry. Understanding what bioengineered food ingredients are, and how they are regulated and labeled, empowers consumers to make informed choices about their food and helps the industry navigate the complexities of food transparency. These updates are not just about regulatory compliance; they are about fostering a more informed and transparent food system for everyone.
