What Does Bioengineered Food Mean?

Corn is the most commonly grown corp in the U.S. and the largest known GMO! (genetically modified organisms)

Introduction

You may have noticed food labels with a new term, “bioengineered” or “derived from bioengineering,” as a new national labeling standard that went into effect in January 2022. You’ve been eating genetically engineered foods found in at least 75% of processed foods without knowing it.

In this blog post, I’ll break down what bioengineered foods include and how this new regulation is hiding the use of genetically engineered ingredients previously known as GMOs (genetically modified organisms). You can decide if they are harmful or helpful to your diet and if you want to eat them.

What is bioengineered food?

It’s a new term, not a new concept under the Bioengineered Food labeling law that certain foods containing detectable modified genetic material must reveal those ingredients on the label. However, the label doesn’t have to reveal which ingredient, just that it’s bioengineered.

Common foods that are bioengineered include corn, canola, soybeans, and sugar. Full list of bioengineered foods.

Exemptions to the label

Animal and pet feed are exempt from the new labeling law.

Foods that don’t have to carry the label include meat, poultry, eggs, and any food made with any of these listed as the first ingredient on the label.

For example: if you buy canned stew that contains bioengineered corn but lists beef as the first ingredient, it does not have to carry the label for bioengineered food. If the can contains more corn than beef, then it would be labeled as bioengineered food.

The label does not have to reveal which ingredient(s) are bioengineered.

Other exemptions

Animal and pet feed along with personal care products are exempt from the labeling law.

Food manufacturers with sales below $2.5 million per year can voluntarily label their food products, but not required.

Pro tip: Restaurants, food trucks, and similar retail food establishments are not required to label bioengineered foods.

Your local deli doesn’t have to tell you if you’re eating bioengineered food.

If an animal ate bioengineered feed is the byproduct considered bioengineered?

For instance, if a cow ate bioengineered alfalfa, the milk from the cow is not considered bioengineered and would NOT be subject to the labeling law.

More general FAQs.

What are GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are created by purposely altering the natural state of the plant or animal. In other words, taking an apple and modifying it so it doesn’t turn brown which is a natural process known as oxidation. This is a mild modification compared to some others such as cattle not growing horns! The concern is how the effects of gene editing will impact your health over time.

Are GMO foods the same as bioengineered foods (BE)?

Essentially, YES! The big difference between GMO and BE is that GMO foods can contain small, undetected amounts of ingredients, and BE foods will have detectable amounts of altered ingredients that are required to be noted on the food label.

Pro tip: Highly refined ingredients made from GMOs are not detected in the final product and therefore don’t require the BE label. In other words, you’re still consuming GMOs without being informed.

Is organic food genetically modified?

Organic refers to how the food is grown and if the standards are met concerning pesticides, fertilizers, hormone use, soil quality, and animal raising practices set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Nation Organic Program for certification. GMOs are banned from growing and processing organic foods.

Pro tip: Look for this label when shopping for “100% organic” as it’s the only label approved by the USDA that meets the standards.

How do I know if I’m buying organic food?

There are 3 rankings of organic:

1. “100% organic” – all ingredients are organic – BEST of the three!

2. “organic”- 95% of ingredients are organic and 5% are approved for use in organic food products.

3. “made with organic” – at least 70% of ingredients are organic and the remainder are approved for use in organic products or up to 3 organic ingredients found in the food product.

All three may use the logo but with the claim of which ranking.

What about non-GMO foods?

Non-GMO-certified food products have been verified to have been grown and processed without any alterations.

Pro tip: Certified organic is always non-GMO. Look for this label when shopping for Non-GMO food to ensure you’re buying a true non-GMO product.