FSIS to Allow 'Non-GMO' Claims on Meat, Poultry and Egg Products
The Food Safety and Inspection Service recently issued guidance on negative genetically modified organism (i.e., non-GMO) claims on meat, poultry and egg products (here). According to the document, FSIS will “immediately” begin approving "negative claims for meat, poultry and egg products that do not contain bioengineered ingredients or that are derived from livestock that do not consume bioengineered feed and that contain the terms 'genetically modified organism' or 'GMO.'” Previously, FSIS had approved negative bioengineered claims but not allowed the use of the terms “genetically modified organism” or “GMO” in such claims. Comments on the guidance are due Oct. 24, FSIS said (here).
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
The agency will use a definition of bioengineered set forth in recent legislation as, “a food that contains genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques and for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature,” it said. Negative claims will continue to be subject to prior approval, FSIS said. Claims will be approved only if a third-party certifying organization is identified and the label or labeling discloses a website address where consumers can obtain additional information regarding the claim and the certification process, it said. “Consistent with our past practice, FSIS will continue to allow the use of synonymous terms such as 'genetically engineered,'” FSIS said.
(Federal Register 08/24/16)