• As previously reported on this blogSenate Bill 764, which requires the labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods and food ingredients, was signed into law on July 29, 2016. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop regulations and standards to create mandatory disclosure requirements for bio-engineered foods by July 2018. Under the law, food companies have three options to disclose GMO ingredients: on-package text, a USDA-created symbol, or an Internet link.
  • A labeling mandate for GE salmon for human consumption is included in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bill (S.1603), which was passed by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and introduced in the full Senate on July 20, 2017. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who opposed S.764, announced in a press release that she “secured language [in the appropriations bill] that requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate labeling of GE salmon and that continues the current import ban until final labeling guidelines have been set by the FDA.”
  • Concerning the import ban of GE salmon, Sec. 757(c) of S.1603 states, “During fiscal year 2018, the Food and Drug Administration shall not allow the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of any food that contains genetically engineered salmon until the Food and Drug Administration publishes final labeling guidelines for informing consumers of such content.”
  • USDA is currently conducting a study to determine the challenges of GMO disclosure through a smartphone-scannable digital code, and has posted a list of 30 questions to obtain stakeholder input to facilitate the drafting of mandatory disclosure requirements to implement the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law. If the provision requiring FDA to mandate labeling of GE Salmon remains in the final agricultural FY2018 appropriations bill, it remains to be seen how GE labeling requirements will be coordinated between FDA and USDA.​