The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Work with Me
    • Speaking
    • Giveaways
    • Social Media Consulting
    • Sponsored and Guest Posts
  • Gift Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • About Me
    • Media
    • Terms of Use

USDA Publishes Draft GMO Labeling Rules – And They Are Brilliant!

May 24, 2018

After two years of waiting, the USDA has finally published its proposed regulations to implement labeling of genetically modified crops.

In 2016, Congress passed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. At the time, several states, egged on by anti-GMO activists, were considering bills and ballot proposals requiring such labels. Vermont’s disastrous labeling law was just about to go into effect, which would have national consequences. To avoid a patchwork of conflicting state and local laws, Congress acted to streamline the GMO labeling standard to make a uniform, national law.

The USDA has now published the draft rule and regulations and, as required by law, are seeking comments by the public regarding the law. The National Law Review has summed up the draft, but here are some of the points I think are important:

  • Mandatory disclosure of the presence of bioengineered ingredients in foods must be made through one of four means: 1) text label disclosure; 2) symbolic label disclosure using one of three proposed symbols; 3) electronic or digital link disclosure; or 4) text message disclosure.
  • The regulations exempt the following: food served in a restaurant; “very small” food producers; foods containing de minimis amounts of BE substance; foods made from animals that consumed BE feed; and food certified organic.
  • The regulations do not prohibit other claims regarding BE foods, provided that such claims are consistent with federal law.
  • The effective date is January 1, 2020 for most manufacturers.

There are a few things that I find very interesting, and even encouraging about the proposed rules.

First, the USDA has decided these foods will be called “bioengineered” instead of “GMOs.” Words matter and not only is bioengineered probably a more precise term, it also does not come with the negative connotations associated with “GMOs.” For years, activists have sold the message over and over again that “GMOs” are untested and dangerous. Not only was this false, but the constant drumbeat was meant to create a negative connotation. Remember: their goal for the labeling of GMOs was to eventually have them banned from cultivation entirely. Naturally then, those same people are now upset the USDA has made this switch; however, that is only because all of those negative campaigns were for nothing. There will be no negative association with the term “bioengineered” and that makes the goal of banning GMOs a little bit harder.

Second, the use of a symbol to designate that a product contains GMO ingredients is also an important change. Wouldn’t it be great if the USDA created a label that cast bioengineered foods in a positive light? Maybe they could come up with something that represents the environmental benefits for these crops? Friends, that is exactly what they did! Take a look at some of the proposed labels:

Source: USDA

I am in love with all of them! If I had to choose just one, I would probably pick the smiling sun. At the end of the day, genetically modified crops are green crops and the symbol representing them should express it. While I’m sure anti-GMO activists are disappointed that the USDA didn’t chose a skull and crossbones, I think we can all agree this is so much better!

The next thing that really makes me happy is that products from animals fed bioengineered crops will not require a label. For example, milk from Dairy Cow Betsy, who eats a steady diet of GMO corn, will not require one of the BE labels. Why? Because her milk isn’t genetically modified in any way, shape, or form. She simply ate GMOs and, despite the claims of anti-GMO activists, eating a GMO does not make you a GMO.

My only regret with the draft rules is that non-GMO labels will be allowed to exist, provided they are consistent with other federal laws. I have long advocated for the type of law Canada has, which prohibits the non-GMO label if there is not a GMO crop available. Unfortunately, Canada does not seem to really enforce that law, and its regulatory agency recently found the Non-GMO Project Label does not violate it. Live to fight another day!

All in all, the USDA has really done a good job of putting together its labeling scheme for bioengineered crops. There are options for producers to make complying easy and efficient. The use of the symbol to represent BE crops is well done, creative, and positive. Violations are only a problem if done “knowingly,” and not simply by accident.

I fought hard against any law mandating a label for genetically modified crops. Fundamentally, I still believe such a labeling requirement is obnoxious and unnecessary. That being said, if such a law is going to exist, this is definitely the right way to do it.

Now, let’s make it the law! The USDA is accepting comments until July 3, 2018. You can share your support for this program with the USDA by following the instructions here!

signature

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Share this:
«
»

Filed Under: Biotechnology, Labeling Tagged With: federal government, GMO, labeling, labels, USDA

Comments

  1. Philip J McArdle says

    May 24, 2018 at 10:55 am

    Thank you!!! I commented!

    • Amanda says

      May 24, 2018 at 11:11 am

      Thank you!!

  2. Diane Amundson says

    June 6, 2018 at 9:42 am

    I like the smiling sun in color.

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via Email

Archives

Latest on Twitter

3 days ago
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

#TheMoment t.co/oaYTDE2sqT

  • Reply
  • Retweet 1
  • Like 1
February 26, 2021
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Research: Ending Dairy Doesn’t Significantly Reduce GHG Emissions t.co/M7ohCwae1f

  • Reply
  • Retweet 0
  • Like 1
February 22, 2021
Farmers Daughter's Twitter avatar
Farmers Daughter
@farmdaughterusa

Report: Corn’s Huge Economic Impact t.co/RoNtkoSUo3

  • Reply
  • Retweet 0
  • Like 0

Latest on Facebook

The Farmer's Daughter

2 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

"Sustainability means adopting practices that help the environment and our pocketbooks. Farmers have been doing that for decades without additional government regulations, a looming environmental crisis, or even public demand. We adopt new technologies, incorporate the latest science, and update our production methods because it makes sense."

... See MoreSee Less

Here’s why farmers need to start seriously talking about climate change | AGDAILY

www.agdaily.com

Imagine a world that relies on agriculture to take the lead in solving a problem like climate change. We need to insert ourselves into the discussion.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

3 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Do you remember the moment you realized everything was changing?March 11, 2020. I took this photo downtown Chicago. My colleague and I were attending a shareholders meeting. We arrived early and stopped into a coffee shop to waste time. We ordered our drinks and sat down inside to enjoy them.Two days later, I posted on my private Facebook page that I was “grocery shopping for the apocalypse.” I remember secretly wishing we’d get to work from home for a couple days, as if this was nothing more than a snow storm.The next week Indiana started shutting things down. In the chaos that ensued, I remember another colleague coming in my office and sitting down. He’s a bit older and wiser than I am. He told me to go back to the grocery store and get canned food, just in case the power went out. I think that was #TheMoment I realized this wasn’t just a long weekend. This was going to be different.In those initial months, people made mistakes. We went overboard trying to protect ourselves (wiping all of my groceries with Clorox wipes before bringing them inside, for example). Some leaders didn’t understand or grasp the fear and anxiety. Governments didn’t think about things long term. The CDC gave conflicting advice.But I’m not upset about those things. We didn’t know what we were facing. We were all learning together.No, I’m angry at what COVID-19 stole from us. Of course, the people who lost their lives. And also a sense of control. Canceled events. Holidays with family. Freedom to move around in this germ-filled world without thinking twice about it. An innocence we didn’t know we had.A year later I’m registered for the vaccine. I hope my turn comes soon. I’m trying to take precautions to stay healthy until then. And I’d like to think we’ll get it all back. Life before the pandemic.Will we? The changes won’t be as drastic as it all felt in March of 2020. They’ll be subtle. But it will always be different now.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

4 days ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Are you struggling with stress, depression, or anxiety? If so, consider visiting American Farm Bureau Federation's Farm State of Mind for resources and help: www.fb.org/land/fsomYou're not alone.

... See MoreSee Less


Photo

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Happy Saturday!I'm working on new content for the upcoming week. Here's a few ways you can support my work:🍎Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefarmersdaughterusa/🍎Check out my apparel and designs: www.bonfire.com/store/the-farmers-daughter-usa/🍎See what you missed this week on the blog: thefarmersdaughterusa.com/blog/

... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

The Farmer's Daughter

1 week ago

The Farmer's Daughter

Grab a glass of milk and read this. 🥛

... See MoreSee Less

Research: Ending Dairy Doesn't Significantly Reduce GHG Emissions - The Farmer's Daughter USA

thefarmersdaughterusa.com

We're told ending our reliance on animal products, including dairy, can reduce GHG emissions. But researchers at Virginia Tech found that isn't true.

View on Facebook

·
Share



Share on Facebook



Share on Twitter



Share on Linked In



Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
6 years ago today. We had freezing rain on top of 6 years ago today. We had freezing rain on top of lots of snow. It was absolutely beautiful!
What song would you listen to on repeat for hours What song would you listen to on repeat for hours and hours? 

Mine is "Fly Over States" by Jason Aldean or "I Lived" by OneRepublic. I know, cheesy. But I love those songs.

Also, sorry to my college roomie for making you actually listen to my favorite songs on repeat. 😘😂
Check out my latest design! #linkinbio👆 Check out my latest design! #linkinbio👆
Giveaway Alert!! It's time again for @tractorsupp Giveaway Alert!!

It's time again for @tractorsupply  Grant for Growing! This annual fundraiser and competitive grant process helps support local projects focused on sustainable agriculture. Since 2016, the Grant for Growing has gone towards 1,400 local projects and 147,000 FFA advisors around the country. I'm excited to team up with TSC because it's so important to cultivate young people for leadership and careers.

You can learn more about the Grant for Growing fundraiser, explore some of the past projects, and make your online donation by visiting: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/cms/ffa

And this year TSC is giving one of my followers a $50 gift card! To enter, make sure you follow me and TSC. Then comment on this post by answering this question: Why does agriculture education matter to you? We'll pick a winner at random one week from today.
Apparently this is called rime ice. So pretty! Apparently this is called rime ice. So pretty!
I'm glad I pay for plowing services. 🤔🙄 I'm glad I pay for plowing services. 🤔🙄
Launching a new design today! #linkinbio👆 to ge Launching a new design today! #linkinbio👆 to get yours!
Happy Valentine's Day, I guess. Happy Valentine's Day, I guess.
It's not who you are that holds you back. It's who It's not who you are that holds you back. It's who you think you're not.

#wisewords #BeBrave
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs