Consumer’s Guide to Bioengineered Food Disclosures

Over the last decade consumers have become increasingly aware of the food science that brings food from farm to shelf. Many consumers are concerned about the recent increase of genetic modification through modern technologies like gene editing, CRISPR, and genetic engineering. Specifically, consumers wonder how these technologies may affect food quality and safety. In response to these concerns, Congress passed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS). In short, the NBFDS is a federal law that will require most food manufacturers and retailers to disclose whether certain foods are bioengineered (BE). BE foods covered by the NBFDS will designate on their labels that they are bioengineered. Those designations may take the form of text disclosures, symbols, or digital links. This issue brief explains the new regulation and what consumers can expect when the NBFDS becomes mandatory on January 1, 2022.