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New law means new label flexibility for organic producers

Organic meat and poultry producers may now use streamlined approval process.

September 22, 2016

2 Min Read

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is adding labeling flexibility for organic producers.

Organic meat and poultry producers can now use a streamlined process to get approval for labels verifying that their products do not include genetically engineered (GE) ingredients.  These products may also now use a “Non-GMO” label claim.

Many organic stakeholders have expressed an interest in using “Non-GMO” label claims to clearly communicate to consumers that organic products do not contain genetically engineered ingredients, and that organic animals were not fed genetically engineered feed.

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In the recently passed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act, Congress stated that organic certification is sufficient to make claims about the absence of bioengineered ingredients, such as “non-GMO.”  Also, the Food and Drug Administration recently clarified its policy to accept claims that products do not contain genetically modified ingredients, including “non-GMO” statements.  This lets USDA grant additional labeling flexibility to organic producers and processors.  The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which runs the National Organic Program and establishes organic standards, worked closely with FSIS on their updated guidance.  FSIS and AMS have long shared responsibility for verifying accurate labeling of certified organic meat and poultry products.

The new procedure released by the FSIS allows certified organic meat and poultry producers to obtain approval of non-GMO label claims based on their organic certification.  USDA organic regulations already require certified operations to obtain their certifier’s approval of labels that use the term “organic” or display the USDA organic seal. Now, a certified organic meat or poultry processor can modify or add a label claim to a previously approved label in accordance with the recently published guidance document entitled “Statements That Bioengineered or Genetically Modified (GM) Ingredients or Animal Feed Were not Used in Meat, Poultry, or Egg Products.”   The label approval procedures may be found on the FSIS website

Non-GMO label claims must be carefully worded so they do not confuse or mislead consumers.  They may make a specific claim regarding the process that was accomplished without the use of GM materials, but they must also add a clear statement that the USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of genetic engineering in the production of organic products.

Proper label use will be verified during normal FSIS verification inspection tasks and during routine NOP certification inspections – which occur on an annual basis for organic operations.

Source: USDA blog

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