New Guidelines Change Labeling For Genetically Modified Foods

The federal government has changed its guidance on how genetically modified foods are labeled.

New USDA rules went into effect at the start of 2022 that change labeling requirements for "genetically modified organisms," better known as GMOs.

The new labels will say "Bioengineered" or "Derived from Bioengineering."

The USDA says the labels are on foods with detectable genetic material that has been modified in a lab and can't be created through conventional breeding or found in nature.

The list of these foods is not long. Currently, only 13 foods are on the list and include some varieties of apples, corn, potatoes, squash and salmon, to name a few.

The change has been in the works for years, passed by Congress six years ago. In 2018, the agriculture secretary said it would increase the transparency of our nation's food system, giving clear information and labeling consistency.