USDA has announced a new, voluntary certification and labeling program for foods free of genetically modified organisms ("GMOs"). Companies must pay for the certification but once approved, their products may carry a "USDA Process Certified" label along with a claim the products are GMO-free. Currently, companies may put their own GMO-free labels on foods, most through the private label developed by the nonprofit Non-GMO Project, but there are no government labels identifying a food as GMO-free.
The USDA label is similar to what was proposed in a GOP House bill introduced earlier this year that attempts to block mandatory state-level GMO labeling efforts nationwide, such as Vermont's state law. If the GOP bill survives, it would override any state laws requiring such labels. Last week, one company became the first to receive USDA Process Verified Program verification for non-GMO foods. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says that "other companies are already lining up to take advantage of this service."
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