U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require FDA to label genetically engineered (GE) foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat.

According to surveys, more than 90% of Americans support the labeling of genetically engineered foods. In fact, many consumers are surprised to learn that GE foods are not already labeled.

Currently, FDA requires the labeling of more than 3,000 ingredients, additives and processes, but the agency has resisted labels for genetically modified foods. In a 1992 policy statement, FDA allowed GE foods to be marketed without labeling, claiming that these foods were not  “materially” different from other foods because the genetic differences could not be recognized by taste, smell or other senses.

The bipartisan legislation introduced (the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act) would require clear labels for genetically engineered whole foods and processed foods, including fish and seafood. The measure would direct FDA to write new labeling standards that are consistent with U.S. and international standards.

On the consumer front, interest in natural products has grown markedly in recent years. This has been reflected in a number of ways in new product activity, such as the use of all-natural colors, flavors and other raw materials. The popularity of organic products and the promotion of milk and dairy products from grass-fed livestock is also on trend, as is the growing use of GMO-free labeling, according to Innova Market Insights.

In terms of product activity, launches featuring GMO-free claims and labeling remain relatively limited on a global scale. While nearly 13% of launches recorded by Innova Market Insights in the 12 months to March 2013 were marketed on an “additive-free” or “preservative-free” platform, nearly 7% were marketed as “natural,” 6% as “organic” and just 1.1% used GMO-free labeling. This figure rises slightly higher in certain countries and regions, notably Europe and Australasia, falling to less than 1% in North America and Asia.

In terms of products carrying GMO-free claims, snacks, dairy and bakery have the largest number of launches, reflecting the significance of GM ingredients in sectors using high levels of cereals for food or feed. They accounted for 14.1%, 13.3% and 12.5%, respectively, of global GMO-free launches recorded, ahead of baby foods, meat, fish and eggs, confectionery and ready meals.

With these trends in mind, the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), Salt Lake City, UT, hosted a seminar program in May titled  “The Non-GMO Future: How to Source, Test, Label and Market Food and Supplement Ingredients.”  The focus of the event was to help those in the industry better understand how to source, test, label and market non-GMO food and dietary supplements.