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IPFS News Link • Food

The USDA's new labeling for genetically modified foods goes into effect Jan. 1...

• Washington Post

The agency has done away with familiar terms like 'GMOs' and has built in loopholes for tiny producers, and foods made with meat and eggs

Starting Jan. 1, labels at the grocery store are about to get a makeover on foods that have been genetically modified.

The goal was to get rid of the patchwork of different labels for foods and ingredients that have been scientifically tinkered with, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the move also puts a greater burden on consumers to do their homework to understand what the labels mean, food advocates say.

Foods that previously were labeled as containing "genetically engineered" (GE) ingredients or "genetically modified organisms" (GMOs) will now be labeled as "bioengineered," or come with a phone number or QR code guiding consumers to more information online.

The changes are part of the USDA's new rules on controversial modified crops and ingredients. Previous labeling requirements were governed differently on a state-by-state basis. By providing a uniform, national standard for labeling bioengineered foods, "it avoids a patchwork of state labeling regulations," a USDA spokeswoman said in a statement.


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