By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
The nation now has more time to weigh in on the GMO labeling process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for comments on a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard from July 17 to Aug. 25.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) posted 30 questions online to guide feedback from the public.
The questions include: what terms should AMS consider interchangeable with bioengineering; which breeding techniques should be considered conventional; what modifications should be considered found in nature; and what other factors or conditions should be considered when labeling bioengineered food.
AMS also asks for input on what text, symbols and technology, if any, should be used on GMO labels.
The use of labels on small packages, what size manufactures should be considered small and whether small manufacturers should be required to label are also posed.
Whether or not simple use of a phone number, barcode or other method of digital disclosure is included in the questions.
The input received from stakeholders will be used by AMS to draft a proposed rule.
The proposed rule will then be available for additional comments from the public during the rulemaking process.
A working group established by USDA developed the timeline for the rulemaking process. Their goal, per USDA, is to ensure the process is open and transparent to increase consumer confidence and understanding, while also avoiding uncertainty for food companies and farmers.
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard Law, or GMO labeling law, was passed by Congress last July. It gives USDA AMS two years to establish a standard and outline the procedures necessary to implement it.
The deadline for AMS to complete the process is July 2018.
The 30 questions AMS is using to guide its process can be found here.
Responses to the questions and other input should be emailed to GMOlabeling@ams.usda.gov by Aug. 25.
Those interested in following the process may sign up for email updates here.