The Department of Agriculture has released a new procedure allowing certified organic meat and poultry producers to obtain approval of non-GMO label claims, based on the products organic certification. Announced by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the change was made because of the newly passed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act, or GMO labeling bill. The Act states organic certification is enough information to make claims about the absence of bio-engineered ingredients. Meatingplace reports USDA’s organic regulations already require certified operations to obtain approval for 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 under the update. However, non-GMO label claims must be carefully worded so they do not confuse or mislead consumers, according to USDA.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.