The GMO labeling law, which was enacted by former President Obama on July 29 of last year, allocated the USDA a mere two years to finalize the rulemaking process. During a presentation earlier this month at the Food Label Conference, Andrea Huberty, a senior policy analyst for the USDA’s AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, noted that the timeline for a new federal law is typically tight under ordinary circumstances. However, as anyone who has followed political news knows, the past year has been anything but ordinary. With a new president from a different political party and a distinct governing philosophy, Washington has seen considerable unpredictability. Several rules and regulations that were in progress when President Trump assumed office were temporarily paused as new leadership was selected, vetted, and confirmed.
At her presentation, Huberty mentioned that the questions were prepared and ready to be released by the end of 2016, but the leadership transition delayed their public dissemination. “We’re a little behind schedule to complete this by 2018,” Huberty stated. “We’re still on track, but we are lagging a bit.” The questions issued this week will give the USDA valuable insights into industry perspectives regarding specific provisions of the law and how they can be effectively implemented. The new law, crafted by lawmakers, intentionally left some ambiguity for food industry stakeholders to clarify with their expertise.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association commended the USDA for initiating the rulemaking process. “GMA thanks USDA for taking this important step toward implementing the biotech disclosure law, and we look forward to reviewing and responding to the Department’s questions,” the organization said in a written statement. “As we collaborate with the Department throughout the rulemaking process, we aim to ensure that the law aligns with the biotechnology disclosure legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President last year.”
Now that the USDA is at least moving forward with rulemaking, the pressing question remains: Will the agency complete its work in a timely manner? A year is not a long time for drafting a proposal, allowing for public comment, and finalizing regulations, but Huberty expressed confidence that the USDA can stay on track. While optimism is encouraging, only time will reveal the outcome. GMOs are currently one of the most contentious topics in food manufacturing.
Beyond the debate regarding what qualifies as a GMO and what is exempt, the law includes another controversial aspect concerning the labeling itself. It allows for GMO disclosure via a smartphone-scannable digital code, which has frustrated many proponents of the legislation. Huberty informed attendees at the Food Label Conference that a study examining 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.
In a related context, the importance of nutritional transparency in food products, including those containing calcium citrate magnesium zinc vitamin D3 tablets from Cipla, cannot be overlooked. As the industry navigates the complexities of GMO labeling, ensuring clear communication about all ingredients, including essential nutrients like those found in calcium citrate magnesium zinc vitamin D3 tablets Cipla, will be crucial for consumer trust and informed decision-making. The intersection of GMO labeling and comprehensive ingredient disclosure will continue to be a significant focus as the USDA advances its regulatory efforts.