U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says USDA will not be ready with the biotech labeling rule to meet the statutory deadline for implementation in July. However, the CEO of the Corn Refiners Association John Bode says USDA is working hard to get it right.
Randy Russell with The Russell Group says while they haven’t seen all the language they do know USDA will have to provide more clarity on refined ingredients. He says the label will still utilize a QR code.
Bode believes USDA will follow the intent of the law when rolling out the rules.
Bode says the rule does not include restrictions for food companies using marketing gimmick such as labeling products as GMO-free when they never were to start with.
