Understanding what bioengineered food means is increasingly important in today’s food landscape. With growing discussions around food production and labeling, the term “bioengineered” often comes up, sometimes causing confusion. This article aims to clarify the meaning of bioengineered food, particularly in the context of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) in the United States. By exploring the definition, regulations, and implications, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you grasp the essence of bioengineered food and its relevance to your choices.
What Does Bioengineered Food Mean?
At its core, bioengineered food refers to food that contains detectable genetic material which has been modified through specific laboratory techniques. The official definition, as outlined by the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), is quite precise. It states that bioengineered foods are those containing “detectable genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques” and where “the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.”
Let’s break down this definition to fully understand the meaning of bioengineered food:
- Detectable Genetic Material: This signifies that the modification must be present and detectable in the final food product. Highly refined ingredients, where the modified genetic material is no longer detectable, are generally not considered bioengineered under this standard.
- In vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques: This refers to specific laboratory techniques used to modify the genetic material of an organism. In vitro means “in glass,” highlighting that these modifications occur in a controlled laboratory setting. Recombinant DNA technology involves combining genetic material from different sources.
- Modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature: This crucial part of the definition distinguishes bioengineering from traditional breeding methods. Conventional breeding involves selecting and cross-breeding plants or animals with desirable traits over generations. Bioengineering, on the other hand, introduces modifications that are not achievable through these natural or traditional processes.
Essentially, bioengineered food involves intentional genetic modifications made in a lab that cannot be achieved through traditional farming or breeding practices. This is designed to impart specific characteristics to the food, such as pest resistance or enhanced nutritional value.
Understanding the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS)
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) was established to provide consumers with more information about the foods they purchase. It mandates that food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers disclose whether their food products are bioengineered. Understanding the NBFDS is crucial to grasping the practical implications of Bioengineered Food Meaning in the marketplace.
Purpose of NBFDS
The primary purpose of the NBFDS is to increase transparency and provide consumers with access to information about bioengineered foods. By requiring disclosure, the standard aims to empower consumers to make informed choices about the food they buy and consume. It’s important to note that the NBFDS is a disclosure standard, not a food safety regulation. Bioengineered foods available on the market have undergone safety assessments by regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Who is Regulated?
The NBFDS applies to “regulated entities,” which include:
- Food Manufacturers: Companies that produce food for retail sale.
- Importers: Entities that bring food products into the United States for retail sale.
- Certain Retailers: Retailers who package and label food for retail sale.
However, there are exemptions. The NBFDS does not apply to:
- Restaurants and similar retail food establishments: This includes cafeterias, food trucks, airplanes, and similar venues where food is prepared and served for immediate consumption.
- Very small food manufacturers: Food manufacturers with annual receipts of less than $2,500,000 are exempt.
Dietary supplements are considered “food” under the standard, so manufacturers and importers of dietary supplements must comply with the disclosure requirements if their products are bioengineered.
What Products are Covered?
The NBFDS mandates disclosure for:
- Bioengineered foods: As defined earlier, foods containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro rDNA techniques that could not be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.
- Foods containing bioengineered food ingredients: Products that contain ingredients meeting the definition of bioengineered food.
However, it’s equally important to understand what is not covered:
- Highly refined foods: Ingredients derived from bioengineered crops but refined to the point where detectable modified genetic material is no longer present do not require disclosure. Common examples include refined soybean oil or corn starch.
- Food from animals fed bioengineered feed: Animal products (like meat, milk, or eggs) from animals that consumed bioengineered feed are not considered bioengineered solely for that reason.
The Bioengineered Food List
To assist regulated entities in complying with the NBFDS, the USDA maintains a List of Bioengineered Foods. This list identifies crops and foods that are authorized for commercial production and are in legal production somewhere in the world and thus are likely to be bioengineered. Currently, the list includes:
- Alfalfa
- Apple (Arctic™ varieties)
- Canola
- Corn
- Cotton
- Eggplant (BARI Bt Begun varieties)
- Papaya (ringspot virus-resistant varieties)
- Pineapple (pink fleshed varieties)
- Potato
- Salmon (AquAdvantage®)
- Soybean
- Summer Squash
- Sugarbeet
This list is not exhaustive but serves as a guide. Regulated entities are responsible for disclosing bioengineered foods even if they are not explicitly on this list, if they meet the definition of bioengineered food. The USDA updates this list as needed to reflect the evolving landscape of bioengineered foods.
Disclosure Requirements
The NBFDS provides several options for disclosing bioengineered food content:
- Text Disclosure: Stating “Bioengineered Food” or “Contains a Bioengineered Food Ingredient.”
- Symbol Disclosure: Using a specific USDA-developed symbol.
- Electronic or Digital Link: Providing a QR code or similar digital link that consumers can scan to access the disclosure information.
- Text Message Disclosure: For small food packages, a text message option is available.
The disclosure must be placed prominently on the information panel of the food package. For very small packages, alternative options are available to ensure consumers can still access the required information.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Effective Date of the NBFDS was when the final rule went into effect, setting the stage for implementation. The Mandatory Compliance Date was January 1, 2022, for most regulated entities, and January 1, 2020, for small food manufacturers. Since these dates have passed, foods entering commerce must be labeled in accordance with the Standard.
“Entered commerce” is defined as the date the food is labeled for retail sale. The NBFDS does not regulate how long non-compliant labels can remain on shelves for products that entered commerce before the mandatory compliance date.
Enforcement of the NBFDS involves handling complaints from the public. Anyone suspecting a violation can file a written complaint with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Key Aspects and Clarifications of the NBFDS
To further clarify the meaning and implications of bioengineered food under the NBFDS, let’s address some key aspects and frequently asked questions:
Detectable Genetic Material: The Key Criterion
The presence of detectable modified genetic material is the cornerstone of the bioengineered food definition. This is why highly refined ingredients like corn starch, canola oil, and soy lecithin, often derived from bioengineered crops, may not require disclosure. If the refining process removes the modified genetic material to an undetectable level, these ingredients are exempt. However, if detectable modified genetic material remains in these refined ingredients, they do require disclosure.
Bioengineered Feed and Animal Products
A common point of confusion is whether animal products from animals fed bioengineered feed are considered bioengineered. The NBFDS explicitly states that food produced from an animal fed bioengineered feed is not considered bioengineered food solely because the animal ate bioengineered feed. For example, milk from cows fed bioengineered alfalfa is not considered bioengineered under the standard.
Threshold for Inadvertent BE Presence
Recognizing the complexities of the food supply chain, the NBFDS includes a threshold for inadvertent or technically unavoidable bioengineered presence. Disclosure is not required if no ingredient intentionally contains a bioengineered substance, and the inadvertent or technically unavoidable presence of bioengineered material is no more than five percent for each ingredient. This acknowledges that cross-contamination can occur during harvesting, processing, and transportation, even with precautions. However, this exemption does not apply if a regulated entity intentionally uses a bioengineered ingredient but fails to refine it to remove detectable modified genetic material.
Record Keeping and Verification
Regulated entities are required to maintain records demonstrating compliance with the NBFDS. This includes records verifying that a food is sourced from a non-bioengineered crop, records validating refinement processes that remove detectable modified genetic material, or certificates of analysis confirming the absence of detectable modified genetic material. These records are essential for demonstrating due diligence and compliance with the disclosure standard.
Import and Trade Implications
The NBFDS is designed to be trade-neutral, applying the same requirements to both domestic and foreign entities. The USDA engaged with international stakeholders during the rulemaking process to address potential trade concerns. The standard is not intended to disrupt international trade and aims to create a level playing field for both domestic and imported food products.
Alcoholic Beverages and the NBFDS
The application of the NBFDS to alcoholic beverages depends on the regulatory framework governing them. Beverages regulated under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act), such as spirits, malt beverages, and wines with 7% or more alcohol by volume, are not subject to the NBFDS. This is because they are not labeled under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), which forms part of the basis for NBFDS regulation. However, alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol that are subject to FDCA labeling requirements (e.g., cooking wines, kombucha with less than 7% ABV, rum cake) are subject to the NBFDS if they contain bioengineered ingredients.
Broths and Multi-Ingredient Foods
For multi-ingredient foods, determining whether the NBFDS applies can depend on the predominant ingredient. For foods regulated under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), or Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA), the rules are nuanced. If the most predominant ingredient is subject to FDCA labeling, or if the most predominant ingredient is broth, stock, water, or similar and the second most predominant ingredient is subject to FDCA labeling, then the food is subject to the NBFDS. This ensures that complex food products are also appropriately assessed for bioengineered content disclosure.
Conclusion
Understanding the meaning of bioengineered food, especially in the context of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, is vital for both consumers and the food industry. Bioengineered food, as defined by the NBFDS, involves specific genetic modifications achieved through laboratory techniques not possible through traditional breeding. The NBFDS aims to provide consumers with information about these foods through mandatory disclosure, empowering informed choices in the marketplace. By understanding the definition, regulations, and key aspects of the NBFDS, consumers can better navigate food labels and make decisions aligned with their preferences, while the food industry can ensure compliance and transparency in their product offerings.
For further in-depth information and any specific questions, please refer to the official USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website on bioengineered food disclosure.
