The GMO labeling law, signed by former President Obama on July 29 last year, set a two-year timeline for the USDA to complete its rulemaking process. During a presentation at the Food Label Conference earlier this month, Andrea Huberty, a senior policy analyst for the USDA’s AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, noted that the schedule for implementing a new federal law is tight under normal circumstances. However, the past year has been anything but ordinary, especially with a new president who belongs to a different political party and has his own governing philosophy, leading to unpredictability in Washington. Several new regulations that were in progress when President Trump took office were temporarily halted as new leadership came into place.
Huberty mentioned that the questions regarding the GMO labeling law were prepared and ready by the end of 2016, but the leadership transition delayed their release to the public. “We’re a little behind schedule to finalize this by 2018,” she stated during her presentation. “We’re still on track, but slightly delayed.” The questions issued this week will help the USDA gain insights into industry perspectives on specific provisions in the law and their best applications. The new law, crafted by lawmakers, intentionally left some ambiguity for food industry stakeholders to address with their expertise.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association commended the USDA for initiating the rulemaking process. “GMA appreciates USDA for taking this crucial step to implement the biotech disclosure law, and we look forward to reviewing and responding to the Department’s inquiries,” the industry group stated in a written release. “As we collaborate with the Department throughout the rule-making process, we aim to ensure the law is executed in accordance with the biotechnology disclosure legislation enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President last year.”
With the USDA now on the path to rulemaking, the question remains whether the agency can complete its work in time. A year is a short duration for drafting a proposal, inviting public comments, and finalizing regulations. Nonetheless, Huberty expressed confidence that the USDA can remain on track. While optimism is encouraging, only time will reveal the outcome. GMOs continue to be one of the most contentious topics in food manufacturing today.
Beyond the debate over what qualifies as GMO and what is exempt, the law includes a controversial provision regarding labeling. It allows for GMO disclosure through a smartphone-scannable digital code, a decision that has frustrated many proponents of the law. Huberty mentioned that a study investigating the challenges of this disclosure for both consumers and retailers is expected to be completed next month. Once finalized, this study is likely to reignite discussions about the most effective ways to inform consumers about GMO ingredients.
Incorporating key ingredients like calcium citrate vitamin D 315 200 into the conversation about food labeling can enhance public understanding of nutritional benefits related to GMOs. As the rulemaking process unfolds, it will be essential to see how such ingredients and their health benefits are communicated alongside GMO disclosures, ensuring that consumers are well-informed about both the nutritional and ethical aspects of their food choices.