The USDA announced the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard on December 20, 2018. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, passed by Congress in July of 2016, directed USDA to establish this national mandatory standard for disclosing foods that are or may be bioengineered. The standard will provide a uniform way for food manufacturers to disclose whether food or its ingredients were bioengineered while preventing a patchwork of state or private labels that may confuse consumers.

The Standard defines bioengineered foods as those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through certain lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature. The Standard requires food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers to ensure bioengineered foods are appropriately disclosed. The implementation date of the Standard is staggered based on the size of the manufacture.

Course attendees will learn how to be fully compliant with the USDA Final Rule on Bioengineered Food Disclosure. It is essential that food professionals understand which foods the USDA has listed as bioengineered and what firms are exempt from the Bioengineered Disclosure Rule. This course will also discuss incidental additives, disclosure requirements in product labeling; disclosure options available to food manufacturers and distributors; symbols to be used and graphic requirements; as well as, the timelines for compliance.

After attending this webinar, attendees will know what food products are impacted by the new rule, and what food products are exempt. Attendees will also be able to correctly label bioengineered/GMO (Genetically Modified) foods and non-GMO foods.

Understanding the timelines for compliance is essential to ensuring your organization complies with the final rule in time to avoid regulatory enforcement actions.