USDA has issued a request for information (RFI) to inform the design of studies intended to assist the Agency with developing mandatory disclosure requirements for bioengineered foods.

• On July 29, President Obama signed S. 764 into law, establishing a federal framework for the labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods and food ingredients. This law directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop regulations and standards to create mandatory disclosure requirements for bioengineered foods by July 2018.

• USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued an RFI to help inform the design of two studies needed to establish a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.  One study will identify potential nationwide technological challenges that may impact whether consumers would be able to rely on electronic or digital links on food packages.  The second will evaluate the likelihood consumers will use electronic or digital disclosures.

• This RFI, which primarily seeks input from vendors interested in conducting the Food Disclosure Standard studies, represents one of the first substantial Agency actions in connection with the implementation of the new federal GMO labeling law.  Comments are due to USDA by September 15, 2016.