On Thursday morning, May 3, 2018 the United Stated Department of Agriculture announced the comment period of the Proposed Rule for the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. The comment period will be open for sixty days, until July 3, 2018, and it is unlikely to be extended due to the Congressionally mandated timeline for this rulemaking.

The Proposed Rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on May 4, 2018, will affect nearly every player in the food industry. Topics covered by the Proposed Rule include the definition of “bioengineered” and “bioengineered foods”, a list of “bioengineered foods”, a list of foods subject to disclosure, what the disclosure must look like, exemptions from the rule, and enforcement, among other topics. Ultimately, the final rule will establish the nationwide standard for retail labeling of food products containing “bioengineered” ingredients.Barley Snyder intends to follow this rulemaking closely due to the potential impact that it may have on our clients, their supply chains, and their customers. Food industry firms with any questions regarding the Proposed Rule for National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard should contact me or any of the professionals in Barley Snyder’s Food & Agribusiness Group.