Definition Public Law 114-216 is a United States federal law enacted during the 114th Congress. It addresses national bioengineered food disclosure standards.
Overview Public Law 114-216, also known as the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, was signed into law on July 29, 2016. The law was enacted to establish a national standard for disclosing whether foods contain bioengineered (genetically modified) ingredients. It was introduced as a response to growing consumer demand for transparency regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food, while preempting a patchwork of state-level labeling laws that could create inconsistencies in food labeling across states.
Under this law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was directed to develop and implement a standardized disclosure rule. The resulting regulation, issued by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), was published in December 2018 and implemented in phases, with compliance required by January 1, 2022, for most manufacturers.
The law mandates that food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers disclose the presence of bioengineered ingredients through various methods, including on-package text, symbols, or electronic/digital links (such as QR codes). The law also exempts very small food manufacturers and certain types of food, such as those served in restaurants or prepared foods that contain minimal bioengineered ingredients.
Etymology/Origin The designation "Public Law 114-216" follows the standard U.S. legislative naming convention: "Public Law" indicates it is a law of general applicability; "114" refers to the 114th Congress (2015–2016); and "216" is the sequential number of the law passed during that session. The law originated in the U.S. House of Representatives as H.R. 1599, titled the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015," later renumbered and passed as H.R. 772 in the 114th Congress.
Characteristics
- Establishes a uniform national standard for bioengineered food disclosure.
- Mandates disclosure via text, symbol, or electronic link, depending on the product and packaging.
- Grants rulemaking authority to the USDA, which defines enforcement procedures and criteria for what constitutes a bioengineered food.
- Preempts state and local laws that require different or additional labeling requirements for GMO foods.
- Includes exemptions based on company size, food type, and threshold levels of bioengineered content.
Related Topics
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
- Food labeling regulations
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
- Consumer right-to-know laws
- Agricultural biotechnology policy in the United States