Bioengineered foods, often referred to as BE foods, are foods that contain genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques. This means scientists have altered the genetic makeup of these foods in a laboratory using advanced biotechnology, in a way that cannot be achieved through traditional breeding methods or found naturally.
This modification is done to give the food specific desirable traits. For example, some bioengineered crops are made resistant to certain insects, reducing the need for pesticides. Others might be modified to resist viruses, ensuring a healthier and more abundant harvest. The goal is often to improve crop yields, enhance nutritional value, or make farming more sustainable.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to provide consumers with clear information about foods that are or may be bioengineered. This standard ensures transparency in the food system, allowing consumers to make informed choices about the food they purchase and eat.
To help both consumers and food producers, the USDA maintains a List of Bioengineered (BE) Foods. This list includes crops and foods for which bioengineered versions have been developed. Currently, the list includes items like alfalfa, certain varieties of apples, canola, corn, cotton, eggplant, papaya, pineapple, potatoes, salmon, soybeans, squash, sugar beets, and sugarcane (specifically Bt insect-resistant varieties).
It’s important to understand that this list creates a presumption. If a food or ingredient comes from an item on this list, it is presumed to be bioengineered and requires a disclosure. However, companies can avoid disclosure if they have records proving that the food is not bioengineered or that modified genetic material is undetectable in the final product. Conversely, even if a food is not on the list, a company must disclose if they have actual knowledge that it is bioengineered.
The list is updated periodically to reflect new bioengineered foods entering the market. Recent updates have added “sugarcane (Bt insect-resistant varieties)” and refined the entry for squash to “squash (summer, coat protein-mediated virus-resistant varieties)”. These changes ensure the list remains current and accurately informs the public about available bioengineered foods.
While some refined products, like sugar from bioengineered sugarcane or sugar beets, may not contain detectable modified genetic material in the final product due to processing, the initial crops are still considered bioengineered. The disclosure standard focuses on the source and the process of modification, ensuring consumers are informed about foods derived from bioengineered sources. This transparency helps build trust and allows for informed decisions in the marketplace regarding bioengineered foods.
