This is due to the USDA's proposal to change the way GMOs have formerly been defined by the food industry, which would not require certain genetically modified food products to be labeled.

Whole Foods could either adhere to federal regulation, or they could opt to be clearer and stricter. The latter would require all foods that may contain genetically modified ingredients to be labelled as such.

In an email to suppliers on Friday, Whole Foods President and Chief Operations Officer A.C. Gallo announced the company would pause its genetically modified (GMO) food labeling requirements, which were scheduled to take full effect on September 1. The rules, first announced five years ago, require that suppliers disclose the presence of genetically modified ingredients on all packaging.