Update: GMO Labeling Regs Get Trumped

The Trump Administration's latest executive orders have effectively prevented the USDA from promulgating rules on GMO food labeling. The development will likely throw a wrench in the USDA's anticipated plans to give more direction to the food industry about what and how manufacturers need to disclose about products containing bioengineered products.

Last August, we reported on a bill that President Obama signed into law amending the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), to insert a new provision requiring disclosure (i.e., labeling in some manner) of bioengineered foods. The law, known as the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, is historically significant, as it is the first nationwide law requiring disclosure of foods containing GMO ingredients. It was designed, in large part, to expressly preempt states from requiring labeling of foods containing GMO ingredients (such as Vermont's controversial labeling law). A provision in the