USDA Approves Label for Non-GMO Meat

With all the excitement following the recent passing of the GMO Labeling Bill in Connecticut, environmentalist can once again revel in the recent approval from the USDA for a Non GMO label for meat and liquid egg products.  

Last week, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) approved the label for meat and liquid egg products indicating the absence of GMO entities, the first of its kind. 
The USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service “allows companies to demonstrate on their labels that they meet a third-party certifying organization’s standards, provided that the third-party organization and the company can show that the claims are truthful, accurate and not misleading,” Cathy Cochran, a U.S.D.A. spokeswoman, said in a statement to the New York Times. 


This accomplishment in the effort for a more transparent food system and honest food labeling is the result of a year long campaign from the Non-GMO Project, ranchers, poultry farmers, and industry consultants, but not without complications. Ordinarily, the process for Non-GMO Project certification involves testing of the product for genetically engineered ingredients but these products presenteda unique challenge;


"Meat and eggs cannot be tested themselves for GMOs – that’s why we test the animal feed,"  Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project said in a statement. "The supplemental language will help clarify that.”

Already three meat producers have been verified (Mindful Meats, Pitman Farms and Hidden Villa Ranch) consumers can expect to see these labels in stores as soon as next month.