Interview with Dr. Ken
Foster, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue
University
New Legislation
Back when GMOs were introduced into the market in the
1990s, the federal government didn’t require a label if
a food product contained an ingredient that had been
genetically modified. The United States regulating
agencies determined that there were no notable
differences in nutrition and food safety from other
foods we eat that would require special labeling.
In subsequent years, some members of the public have
advocated for having more information about what their
food contains. In response, in the summer of 2016
Congress passed a bill that was subsequently signed by
President Obama. This legislation establishes a federal
standard for labeling foods that have been made with
genetically modified organisms. The bill requires food
manufacturers to use one of three types of labels to
inform consumers when GMO ingredients are in their
products: a statement on the package, directions to a
website or a phone number, or a QR code.