Final FDA Rules on Labeling Non-GMO Food Months, Years Away

Final FDA Rules on Labeling Non-GMO Food Months, Years Away

WASHINGTON--Voluntary labeling rules for products notcontaining genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been delayed, according toa March 21 Associated Press report. Lester Crawford, deputy commissioner of theFood and Drug Administration (FDA), testified on March 21 before the Houseagricultural appropriations subcommittee, saying that the government must beable to make certain that a label claiming to be free of GMOs is accurate. Non-GMOfood must be tested by companies and checked by inspectors to assure the productcontains no GMOs, he said. While the FDA did release a notice regarding labelingnon-GMO food in January 2001, proposed and final rules could be months or yearsaway.

When FDA releases proposed rules, a public comment period will follow. Evenafter the final rules are adopted, enforcement is typically not pursued forseveral months or years as manufacturers are allowed to phase out existinginventory and change their labels.

It is believed by many in the natural products industry that FDA will rulethat in order for a product to be labeled non-GMO, it must contain less than 1percent bio-engineered foods. However, the natural products industry is anxiousto see that percentage even lower, according to Craig Winters of The Campaign toLabel Genetically Engineered Foods.