National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, 19860-19889 [2018-09389]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19860-19889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09389]



[[Page 19859]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 87

May 4, 2018

Part II





Department of Agriculture





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





Agricultural Marketing Service





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





7 CFR Part 66





National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 19860]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 66

[Doc. No. AMS-TM-17-0050]
RIN 0581-AD54


National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: A recent amendment to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 
requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to establish the 
national mandatory bioengineered (BE) food disclosure standard. The 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a new rule that would 
require food manufacturers and other entities that label foods for 
retail sale to disclose information about BE food and BE food 
ingredient content. The proposed rule is intended to provide a 
mandatory uniform national standard for disclosure of information to 
consumers about the BE status of foods. AMS seeks comments on the 
proposed rule. This proposed rule also announces AMS' intent to request 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new 
information collection and recordkeeping requirements to implement the 
proposed BE food disclosure standard.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received by July 3, 2018. 
Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on the information 
collection and recordkeeping burden must be received by July 3, 2018. 
AMS will conduct a webinar on this rulemaking, and further information 
regarding webinar details will be presented in a separate Federal 
Register notification.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposed rule. Comments should be submitted via the 
Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be 
filed with the Docket Clerk, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4543-
South, Washington, DC 20250; Fax: (202) 690-0338. All comments should 
reference the docket number and the date and page number of this issue 
of the Federal Register and will be available for public inspection in 
Room 4543-South, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250 during 
regular business hours, or can be viewed at: www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Email: [email protected]; 
telephone: (202) 690-1300; or Fax: (202) 690-0338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 29, 2016, Public Law 114-216 amended 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), as 
amended (amended Act), by adding Subtitles E and F. Subtitle E of the 
amended Act directs the Secretary to establish the National 
Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) for disclosing any BE 
food and any food that may be bioengineered. Subtitle E also directs 
the Secretary to establish requirements and procedures necessary to 
carry out the new standard. Additionally, the amended Act directs the 
Secretary to conduct a study to identify potential technological 
challenges related to electronic or digital disclosure methods. See 7 
U.S.C. 1639b(c)(1). Subtitle F addresses Federal preemption of State 
and local genetic engineering labeling requirements. Subtitle F also 
specifies that certification of food under the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) (7 CFR part 205) 
shall be considered sufficient to make claims about the absence of 
bioengineering in the food.

Outline of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

I. Introduction
II. Applicability: What is to be disclosed?
    A. Definitions
    B. Food Subject to Disclosure
    C. Bioengineered Food
    1. Definition of ``Bioengineering'' and ``Bioengineered Food''
    2. Lists of Bioengineered Foods
    3. Factors and Conditions
    a. Incidental Additives
    b. Undetectable Recombinant DNA
    D. Exemptions
    1. Food Served in a Restaurant or Similar Retail Food 
Establishment
    2. Very Small Food Manufacturers
    3. Threshold
    a. Alternative 1-A
    b. Alternative 1-B
    c. Alternative 1-C
    4. Animals Fed With Bioengineered Feed and Their Products
    5. Food Certified Organic Under the National Organic Program
III. Disclosure: What will the disclosure look like?
    A. General
    1. Responsibility for Disclosure
    2. Appearance of Disclosure
    3. Placement of Disclosure
    4. How BE Food Lists Relate to Disclosure
    B. Text Disclosure
    1. High Adoption of Bioengineered Food
    2. Non-High Adoption of Bioengineered Food
    C. Symbol Disclosure
    1. Alternative 2-A
    2. Alternative 2-B
    3. Alternative 2-C
    D. Electronic or Digital Link Disclosure
    E. Study on Electronic or Digital Disclosure and a Text Message 
Disclosure Option
    F. Small Food Manufacturers
    1. Definition
    2. Telephone Number
    3. Internet Website
    G. Small and Very Small Packages
    H. Foods Sold in Bulk Containers
    I. Voluntary Disclosure
IV. Administrative Provisions
    A. Recordkeeping Requirements
    1. What Records Are Required
    2. How Recordkeeping Applies to Disclosure
    a. Non-Disclosure of Foods on Either List
    b. Disclosure of Foods on Either List
    3. Other Recordkeeping Provisions
    B. Enforcement
    C. Proposed Effective and Initial Compliance Dates
    D. Use of Existing Label Inventories
V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

I. Introduction

    The Secretary delegated the authority for establishing and 
administering the NBFDS provided in the amended Act to the Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS). As part of the development of the proposed 
NBFDS, on June 28, 2017, AMS sought public input on 30 questions posted 
on its website (https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/be-questions). The deadline for submitting input was August 25, 2017. AMS 
received over 112,000 responses from contributors with diverse 
backgrounds, including consumers; food manufacturers and retailers; 
farmers and processing operations; State and foreign governments; and 
associations representing various food manufacturers and retailers, 
farmers, and other interest groups. AMS posted the responses on its 
website. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c), USDA, through Deloitte 
Consulting LLP, completed a study to identify potential technological 
challenges that may impact whether consumers would have access to the 
BE disclosure through electronic or digital disclosure methods. AMS 
posted the results of the study on its website on September 6, 2017 
(https://www.ams.usda.gov/reports/study-electronic-or-digital-disclosure).
    This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) presents AMS' proposed 
requirements and procedures for the NBFDS to be codified at 7 CFR part 
66. In developing this proposal, AMS was mindful that the purpose of 
the NBFDS is to provide a mandatory uniform disclosure standard for BE 
food to provide uniform information to consumers. In this regard, 
nothing in the disclosure requirements set out in this proposed rule 
conveys information about the health, safety, or environmental 
attributes of BE food

[[Page 19861]]

compared to non-BE counterparts. The regulatory oversight of USDA and 
other relevant Federal agencies ensures that food produced through 
bioengineering meets all relevant Federal health, safety, and 
environmental standards.
    The responsibility to protect public health and the environment 
rests with the U.S. Government agencies responsible for oversight of 
the products of biotechnology: USDA's Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA), and the Department of Health and Human Services' Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA). The Coordinated Framework for Regulation of 
Biotechnology is a policy framework that summarized the roles and 
responsibilities of these three principal regulatory agencies with 
respect to regulating biotechnology products. Therefore, nothing in the 
requirements set out in this proposed rule for disclosure of BE food 
supports claims regarding the health, safety or environmental 
attributes of BE food compared to non-BE counterparts.
    The proposed rule is intended to provide for disclosure of foods 
that are or may be bioengineered in the interest of consumers, but also 
seeks to minimize implementation and compliance costs for the food 
industry--costs that could be passed on to consumers. To that end, AMS 
has tried to craft requirements that are clear and straightforward, 
incorporating flexibility where appropriate. Public input has been 
invaluable to this effort, and public comments submitted in response to 
this proposed rule will be critical in the development of a final rule.
    The discussion of the proposed NBFDS is divided into three parts: 
(1) Applicability; (2) disclosure; and (3) administrative provisions. 
In determining whether a product would be required to bear a disclosure 
under the NBFDS, potentially regulated entities should consult the 
following questions or undertake the following analysis:
    (1) Who is responsible for the disclosure? (Part III.A.1.)
    (2) Is the particular product at issue a ``food''? (Part II.B.)
    (3) Does the food fall within the scope of the NBFDS? (Part II.B.)
    a. Is the food subject to the labeling requirements under the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), 21 U.S.C. 301?
    b. Is the food subject to the labeling requirements under the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry 
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products 
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.), with certain exceptions?
    (4) Is the food a BE food? (Part II.C.)
    a. Does the food appear on either of the two AMS lists of BE foods 
that are commercially available in the U.S? (Part II.D.)
    b. Do other factors or conditions exist that affect the food's BE 
status? (Part II.C.2.)
    (5) Does the amount of a bioengineered substance that may be 
present in the food exceed the threshold? (Part II.D.3.)
    (6) Are there any applicable exemptions? (Part II.D.)
    A full discussion of the above analysis follows, and AMS invites 
comment on the proposed requirements and procedures, alternatives that 
are offered, and on any specific questions that are raised for comment.

II. Applicability: What is to be disclosed?

    The amended Act directs USDA to promulgate regulations regarding 
foods required to bear a disclosure indicating that the food is 
bioengineered or may be bioengineered. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b). At the 
outset, the amended Act establishes the scope of the NBFDS by defining 
``bioengineering'' and ``food,'' and by limiting the food subject to 
disclosure to those foods subject to the labeling requirements in the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq., and 
to certain foods subject to labeling under three statutes administered 
by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).\1\ 7 U.S.C. 1639 
and 1639a. In proposed subpart A, AMS includes the definitions that 
would be pertinent to the proposed new regulatory section (part 66), 
describes the foods that would be subject to disclosure, and explains 
the exemptions that would be applicable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The three statutes are: the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
451 et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et 
seq.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Definitions

    Proposed Sec.  66.1 lists the definitions that would apply to 
proposed part 66. Each term defined in proposed Sec.  66.1 is discussed 
in the section of the NPRM where the term is used. For subpart A, the 
key terms are ``bioengineered food,'' ``bioengineered substance,'' 
``food,'' ``label,'' ``predominance,'' ``similar retail food 
establishment,'' ``very small food manufacturer,'' ``list of 
commercially available bioengineered foods not highly adopted,'' and 
``list of commercially available bioengineered foods with a high 
adoption rate.'' Those terms are critical in determining what foods 
would require a BE food disclosure.

B. Food Subject to Disclosure

    To understand whether a food is subject to the labeling 
requirements of the amended Act, we must consider as a preliminary 
matter whether the product at issue is a ``food.'' The amended Act 
codified the definition of ``food'' as ``a food (as defined in section 
321 of title 21) that is intended for human consumption.'' \2\ 7 U.S.C. 
1639(2). The proposed rule would adopt the same definition of ``food'' 
as used in the amended Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The original text of the amended Act referred to section 201 
of the FDCA, but the reference was changed to section 321 of title 
21 in the codification of the statute.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FDCA defines ``food'' as ``. . . (1) articles used for food or 
drink for man or other animals, (2) chewing gum, and (3) articles used 
for components of any such article.'' 21 U.S.C. 321(f). Ultimately, the 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over the FDCA 
and has the authority to determine what is considered ``food'' under 
the FDCA. AMS intends to defer to FDA in interpreting the definition of 
``food.'' However, the amended Act limits the definition of food to 
articles used for human consumption and does not include articles used 
for animals. Therefore, although pet food and animal feed are ``food'' 
under the FDCA, such foods for animals would not be covered by this 
proposed regulation, pursuant to the amended Act. Chewing gum, is 
considered to be ``intended for human consumption,'' and it is 
therefore considered a ``food'' for the purpose of the NBFDS.
    Under the FDCA, the definition of ``food'' includes both articles 
used for food or drink and articles used for components of any such 
article. For instance, a raw agricultural commodity such as an apple 
constitutes food under FDCA. A processed item like a soup with the 
following ingredients--water, broccoli, vegetable oil, modified food 
starch, and wheat flour--is also a food, as are each of those 
ingredients. Other examples of ``food'' under the FDCA include dietary 
supplements, processing aids, and enzymes.
    Not all food within the FDCA's definition would be within the scope 
of the NBFDS. The amended Act limits the disclosure to (1) food that is 
subject to the labeling requirements of the FDCA; or (2) food that is 
subject to the labeling requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act 
(21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
451 et seq.), or the Egg Products

[[Page 19862]]

Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.), with certain exceptions, as 
set forth in the amended Act. See 7 U.S.C. 1639a. As for the FDCA, 
which is under FDA jurisdiction, the NBFDS would apply to all foods 
subject to its labeling requirement, including but not limited to raw 
produce, seafood, dietary supplements, and most prepared foods, such as 
breads, cereals, non-meat canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, 
and drinks. The amended Act also specifies that the NBFDS only applies 
to foods subject to the labeling requirements of the Federal Meat 
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 1031 et seq.) if the most predominant ingredient of the food 
would independently be subject to the labeling requirements under the 
FDCA; or if the most predominant ingredient of the food is broth, 
stock, water, or a similar solution and the second-most predominant 
ingredient of the food would independently be subject to the labeling 
requirements under the FDCA. See 7 U.S.C. 1639a.
    AMS is proposing to use the same methods FDA uses to identify 
predominance at 21 CFR 101.4(a)(1), which states: ``Ingredients 
required to be declared on the label or labeling of a food, including 
foods that comply with standards of identity, except those ingredients 
exempted by Sec.  101.100, shall be listed by common or usual name in 
descending order of predominance by weight on either the principal 
display panel or the information panel in accordance with the 
provisions of Sec.  101.2. . . .'' The proposed definition of 
``predominance'' for the NBFDS follows this same approach. Thus, a 
multi-ingredient food product that contains meat, poultry, or egg 
product, subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry 
Products Inspection Act, or the Egg Products Inspection Act, 
respectively, as the first ingredient of the ingredient list on the 
food label would not be subject to the NBFDS, per the amended Act.
    A multi-ingredient food product that contains broth, stock, water, 
or similar solution as the first ingredient, and a meat, poultry, or 
egg product as the second ingredient on the food label would also not 
be subject to the NBFDS. For example, a canned ham where pork is the 
primary ingredient followed by other ingredients such as corn syrup, 
would not be subject to the NBFDS. Although the corn syrup may be 
bioengineered, because pork, which is subject to the labeling 
requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, is the predominant 
ingredient, the product is not subject to the NBFDS, pursuant to the 
amended Act. If, however, a meat, poultry, or egg ingredient is the 
third most predominant ingredient, or lower, the food would be subject 
to the NBFDS. For example, a soup with the following ingredient list--
broth, carrots, chicken, etc.--would be subject to disclosure under the 
NBFDS, and the analysis as to whether it would be considered a 
``bioengineered food'' subject to the NBFDS's disclosure requirements 
would continue.
    Seafood, except Siluriformes, and meats such as venison and rabbit 
are subject to the FDCA (and not the Federal Meat Inspection Act) and 
thus, a multi-ingredient food product that contains one of these as the 
first ingredient would be subject to the NBFDS. Thus, a multi-
ingredient food product that contains one of these foods as either a 
first ingredient or a less predominant ingredient would require 
disclosure, unless the product is otherwise exempt (for example, due to 
the predominance of another ingredient, such as beef or chicken, as 
described above).

C. Bioengineered Food

    The amended Act delegates authority to the Secretary to establish 
the NBFDS regarding ``bioengineered food.'' 7 U.S.C. 1639b(a). This 
authority includes the ability to define ``bioengineered food,'' 
consistent with the statutory provisions that address this term. The 
amended Act also authorizes the Secretary to determine other terms that 
are similar to ``bioengineering.'' 7 U.S.C. 1639(1). AMS is not 
proposing any similar terms.
1. Definition of ``Bioengineering'' and ``Bioengineered Food''
    The amended Act defines ``bioengineering'' with respect to a food, 
as referring to a food ``(A) that contains genetic material that has 
been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) 
techniques; and (B) for which the modification could not otherwise be 
obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.'' 7 U.S.C. 
1639(1). In accordance with its statutory mandate and for purposes of 
consistency, AMS proposes to directly incorporate this statutory 
definition into the definition of ``bioengineered food'' without 
further interpretation of what ``bioengineering'' means, but welcomes 
public comment on what could be considered to constitute 
``bioengineering.''
    Responses to AMS' 30 questions disclosed wide differences in public 
opinion about how the statutory definition of ``bioengineering'' should 
be interpreted and applied to the definition of ``bioengineered food.'' 
Specifically, respondents offered conflicting views on highly refined 
foods and ingredients, and whether those products should fall within 
the definition, thus subjecting those foods and ingredients to 
disclosure. The following discussion provides an overview of the two 
prevailing viewpoints.
Position 1
    One position adopted by respondents is that highly refined products 
do not ``contain genetic material that has been modified through in 
vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques.'' These 
commenters reasoned that those products have undergone processes that 
have removed genetic material such that it cannot be detected using 
common testing methods; therefore, highly refined products do not fall 
within the statutory definition of ``bioengineering'' and are exempt 
from the standard's disclosure requirement. Commenters cited scientific 
studies showing that modified genetic material (DNA) could not be 
detected using common testing methods on highly refined products after 
the refinement process.\3\ Another argument is that by nature of the 
intended food product, these particular highly refined foods generally 
either do not contain nucleic acids or contain minute amounts of 
foreign material, which could result in incidental detection of DNA due 
to inadvertant transfer during the refinement process. Thus proponents 
of this argument conclude that presence of incidental or trace amounts 
of DNA should not be within the scope of the definition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ For example, with regard to sugar, some studies failed to 
detect transgenes during sugar crystallization processes in 
genetically modified sugar crops. See Joyce, P.A., Dinh, S-Q., 
Burns, E.M. and O'Shea M.G. (2013), ``Sugar from genetically 
modified sugar cane: Tracking transgenes, transgene products and 
compositional analysis'', Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol.'', 
Vol. 28, pp. 1-9; see also Klein, J., Altenbuchner, J. and Mattes, 
R. (1998), ``Nucleic acid and protein elimination during the sugar 
manufacturing process of conventional and transgenic sugar beets'', 
J. Biotechnology, Vol. 60, pp. 145-153; see also Oguchi, T., 
Chikagawa, Y., Kodama, T., Suzuki, E., Kasahara, M., Akiyama, H., 
Teshima, R., Futo, S., Hino, A., Furui, S. and Kitta, K. (2009), 
``Investigation of residual DNAs in sugar from sugar beet (Beta 
vulgaris L.)'', J. Food Hyg. Soc. Japan, Vol. 50, pp. 42-46; see 
also Taylor, G.O., Joyce, P.A., Sedl, J.M. and Smith, G.R. (1999), 
``Laboratory crystallised sugar from genetically engineered sugar 
cane does not contain transgene DNA'', Proc Aust. Soc. Sugar Cane 
Technol., Vol. 21, pp. 502.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commenters also stated that highly refined products made from BE 
crops, such as sucrose; dextrose; corn-starch;

[[Page 19863]]

high-fructose corn syrup; and corn, canola, and soybean oils, are 
chemically identical to those made from non-BE crops, regardless of the 
production method (bioengineered or conventional) used to produce the 
crops. For instance, according to commenters, refined sugar produced 
from bioengineered sugarbeets is--at the end of the refining process--
exactly the same as refined sugar produced from non-bioengineered 
sugarbeets: both refined products are sucrose, and they are chemically 
and molecularly indistinguishable from one another.
    In summary, proponents of these points of view argue that highly 
refined products are not within the scope of ``bioengineering'' because 
they do not ``contain[ ] genetic material that has been modified 
through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques,'' 
and therefore do not require disclosure as ``bioengineered food'' under 
the NBFDS. See 7 U.S.C. 1639(1).
Position 2
    Another viewpoint contends that the scope of the definition of 
``bioengineering'' includes all foods produced from bioengineering, 
such as highly refined products. One basis for this viewpoint is that 
highly refined products, for example, a sugar beet, contains modified 
genetic material before it is processed; therefore, one could suppose 
the resulting product (sugar) would contain at least some trace amount 
of genetic material from the BE sugar beet. Whether genetic material is 
detectable may depend on the characteristics of the refinement process, 
as well as the sample and the testing method applied. Some commenters 
assert that although a test may not detect the modified genetic 
material, it does not necessarily mean that there is no modified 
genetic material in the food. In addition, proponents of this position 
argue that science is inconclusive about whether or not highly refined 
ingredients contain modified DNA, and they cite studies that genetic 
material can be found present in highly refined oils and sugars.\4\ 
Therefore, these proponents believe there should be a presumption that 
these products meet the statutory definition of ``bioengineering'' and 
are therefore BE foods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ A study published in 2014 found that minute quantities of 
sugar cane DNA were detected in raw sugar after industrial scale 
refining of sugar cane into raw sugar. See Cullis, C., Contento, A., 
Schell, M., DNA and Protein Analysis throughout the Industrial 
Refining Process of Sugar Cane. International Journal of 
Agricultural and Food Research, North America, 3, jul. 2014. 
Available at: https://www.sciencetarget.com/Journal/index.php/IJAFR/article/view/437.
    With regards to oils, one study detected amplifiable DNA in all 
the stages of chemical refining of crude soybean oil by end-point 
and real-time PCR techniques. J. Costa, I. Mafra, J.S. Amaral, M. 
Beatriz, M.B.P.P. (2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMS invites comment on these two different positions on how to 
interpret the statutory definition of ``bioengineering,'' and thus the 
scope of the regulatory definition of ``bioengineered food.'' In 
particular, AMS is interested in any additional studies conducted on 
this issue, the cost of implementation under each policy, and whether 
certain policies describing the scope of foods subject to the 
disclosure standard would lower costs to affected entities. In 
addition, we request public comment on whether one position is a better 
interpretation of the statutory definition. For USDA's estimate of the 
cost of implementation under each position, please see the accompanying 
Regulatory Impact Analysis.
Conventional Breeding
    As to the component terms of the definition of ``bioengineering,'' 
AMS seeks comment on whether the NBFDS should include a definition for 
``conventional breeding,'' and if so, what it should be. While AMS has 
not included a definition of ``conventional breeding'' in this 
proposal, we welcome comments on whether there should be a definition 
for ``conventional breeding'' and, if so, what that definition should 
be. Possible definitions could be ``traditional breeding techniques, 
including, but not limited to, marker-assisted breeding and chemical or 
radiation-based mutagenesis, as well as tissue culture and protoplast, 
cell, or embryo fusion,'' or ``traditional methods of breeding or 
crossing plants, animals, or microbes with certain desired 
characteristics for the purpose of generating offspring that express 
those characteristics,'' or EPA's definition of conventional breeding 
in its regulations for plant-incorporated protectants in 40 CFR 174.3: 
``the creation of progeny through either: The union of gametes, e.g., 
syngamy, brought together through processes such as pollination, 
including bridging crosses between plants and wide crosses, or 
vegetative reproduction. It does not include any of the following 
technologies: Recombinant DNA; other techniques wherein the genetic 
material is extracted from an organism and introduced into the genome 
of the recipient plant through, for example, micro-injection, macro-
injection, micro-encapsulation; or cell fusion.'' AMS seeks comment on 
whether a definition of ``conventional breeding,'' if included in the 
regulations implementing the NBFDS, should be limited to methods 
currently used to propagate or modify existing genetics.
``Found in Nature''
    As to the component terms of the definition of ``bioengineering,'' 
AMS seeks comment on whether the NBFDS should include a definition for 
``found in nature,'' and if so, what it should be. Although this 
concept is not included in the proposed regulatory text, AMS seeks 
comment on whether to consider intellectual property law as one 
potential method of determining whether a genetic modification could be 
found in nature. Based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision, the U.S. 
Patent and Trademark Office issued guidance to its examiners,\5\ that 
products of nature are not patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 
101. AMS believes that there are similarities in how a product of 
nature is interpreted for purposes of patent eligibility and how a 
modification could be found in nature for purposes of determining 
whether a modification is bioengineered. Therefore, for purposes of 
this standard, AMS would be able to use intellectual property 
protection under 35 U.S.C. 101 to inform its decision about whether a 
modification ``could not otherwise be found in nature'' (for those food 
products that have been granted intellectual property protection).
7 U.S.C. 1639(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's 2014 Interim Guidance 
on Patent Subject Matter Eligibility, 79 FR 74618, 74622-24 (Dec. 
16, 2014), and the May 4, 2016, Memorandum from Deputy Commissioner 
for Patent Examination Policy to Patent Examining Corps titled 
``Formulating a Subject Matter Eligibility Rejection and Evaluating 
the Applicant's Response to a Subject Matter Eligibility Rejection'' 
(https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ieg-may-2016-memo.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If we were to apply this concept, AMS would limit its consideration 
to patents under 35 U.S.C. 101, which excludes the intellectual 
property protections obtained by plant patents and plant variety 
protection certificates. AMS is aware that there are many non-BE plants 
that have intellectual property protection, including plant and utility 
patents, and is not suggesting that intellectual property protection 
means a plant is BE. Conversely, AMS is also aware that developers of 
many BE plants may not pursue intellectual property protection. Whether 
a modification has intellectual property protection under 35 U.S.C. 101 
would be just one method in making a determination about whether a 
specific modification could be found in nature.

[[Page 19864]]

    AMS invites comment on this approach of using intellectual property 
protections as a method in determining whether a modification could not 
otherwise be found in nature, including specific comments on whether it 
should distinguish between the different categories of patents 
available under 35 U.S.C. 101. AMS also invites comment on other 
possible definitions or methods of determining whether a specific 
modification could not otherwise be found in nature.
2. Lists of Bioengineered Foods
    Recognizing the complexity of the definition of ``bioengineering,'' 
and in an attempt to make it easier and less burdensome for consumers 
and regulated entities alike to understand what products may need to be 
disclosed under the NBFDS, AMS has applied the definition of 
``bioengineered food'' outlined above to determine which foods would be 
subject to BE disclosure by developing (1) a proposed list of BE foods 
that are commercially available in the United States with a high 
adoption \6\ rate and (2) a proposed list of BE foods that are 
commercially available in the United States that are not highly 
adopted. Only foods or products on either of those lists or made from 
foods on either of the lists would be subject to disclosure under the 
NBFDS. Thus, regulated entities would only need to determine whether 
the consumer-facing end product, or an ingredient used in the end 
product, is on either of the lists or is produced using foods on either 
of the lists. Ultimately, the BE food lists would serve as the linchpin 
in determining whether a regulated entity would need to disclose a BE 
food under the NBFDS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Adoption refers to the prevalence with which BE cultivars of 
a food crop are planted or produced in the United States, relative 
to the number of non-BE cultivars of the same crop in production.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To compile the proposed lists, AMS considered data reported by 
USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS),\7\ data published by the 
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications 
(ISAAA),\8\ and FDA's list of Biotechnology Consultations on Food from 
GE Plant Varieties.\9\ AMS also considered input from industry 
stakeholders and consumers about which BE foods should require 
disclosure labeling. BE foods on the proposed initial lists (1) are 
included in FDA's list of Biotechnology Consultations on Food from GE 
Plant Varieties \10\ (2) are produced anywhere in the world, and (3) 
are commercially available for retail sale in the United States. In 
proposing the lists, we are attempting to capture the foods on the 
market that meet the statutory definition of ``bioengineering'' based 
on existing technology. The various considerations and the definition 
we have proposed for ``bioengineered food'' earlier would be used to 
determine what foods would be required to bear a BE disclosure moving 
forward, when new technologies may emerge. (See Treatment of 
Technologies section, below.) AMS would maintain the lists on its 
website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us.aspx; accessed February 5, 
2018.
    \8\ ISAAA Brief 52: Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM 
Crops: 2016.
    \9\ https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/?set=Biocon; 
accessed February 5, 2018.
    \10\ We note that not all bioengineered plant varieties for use 
in food have completed FDA's Biotechnology Consultation on Food 
Derived from GE Plant Varieties program. Some have gone through the 
New Dietary ingredient, food additive petition or GRAS notice review 
processes (for example, GLA safflower), so FDA's Biotech 
consultation program is not a complete list of all bioengineered 
food plants. We also note that FDA's consultation process is 
voluntary and does not capture the full range of GE plant varieties 
on the market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMS is proposing that the following BE foods be considered highly 
adopted. Their U.S. adoption rates according to 2016 ERS and ISAAA data 
are included.
    Commercially Available BE Foods--Highly Adopted

Canola--90%
Corn, Field--92%
Cotton--93%
Soybean--94%
Sugar Beet--100%

    Proposed Sec.  66.1 would define this list as one maintained by AMS 
and as consisting of commercially available BE foods that have an 
adoption rate of eighty-five percent (85%) or more in the United 
States, as determined by the Economic Research Service or any successor 
agency. This list would be an acknowledgement that there is a subset of 
BE foods commercially available in the United States that are highly 
adopted in food production. ERS has reported that U.S. plantings of 
those crops have averaged more than 85 percent bioengineered cultivars 
since 2012. Thus, AMS believes it is reasonable to assume that foods 
produced from those crops are likely bioengineered and should be 
labeled accordingly. (See Disclosure section, below)
    AMS intends that this particular list would identify crops and 
foods generally (e.g. field corn and soybean) and would not list the 
specific derivatives or all the varieties of the crops and foods (e.g. 
corn starch and soy meal). However, foods containing derivatives of the 
crops would be subject to the same disclosure requirement as foods on 
the list. For example, since 92% of the field corn produced in the 
United States is bioengineered, foods made from or containing 
ingredients made from field corn are likely to contain BE corn. Those 
foods might include corn starch, cornmeal, corn syrup, grits, corn 
chips, corn tortillas, and corn cereal, among others, and would be 
subject to BE disclosure.
    Some BE crops that are commercially available in the U.S would not 
be considered highly adopted, since their market prevalence does not 
appear to be 85 percent or more, as suggested by ERS and ISAAA reports, 
as well as other published industry information. For that reason, AMS 
proposes to also maintain a list of commercially available, but not 
highly adopted, BE foods. AMS proposes to include the following in that 
list:
    Commercially Available BE Foods--Not Highly Adopted

Apple, Non-browning cultivars
Corn, Sweet
Papaya
Potato
Squash, Summer varieties

    Proposed Sec.  66.1 would define this list as one maintained by AMS 
and as consisting of commercially available BE foods with an adoption 
rate of less than eighty-five percent (85%) in the United States, as 
determined by the Economic Research Service or any successor agency. 
Where practical, AMS would delineate the foods on the commercially 
available, but not highly adopted, BE foods list by specifying that 
only certain cultivars of those crops would be subject to the 
disclosure and recordkeeping requirements of the proposed rule. For 
instance, since information available at the time of this writing 
indicates that bioengineered versions of squash include only summer 
squash varieties,\11\ summer squash would be the only squash included 
on the list of commercially available, but not highly adopted, BE 
foods. If BE cultivars of winter squashes were developed and made 
commercially available in the United States, AMS could revise the list 
to include them through the process described in the following section.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ ISAAA Brief 52: Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM 
Crops: 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

List Maintenance and Revision
    We are cognizant that biotechnology is a dynamic industry and that 
developments in biotechnology would likely render the lists obsolete 
over time if AMS does not update them periodically; thus, AMS would 
establish

[[Page 19865]]

a process whereby the two lists would be reviewed and revised on an 
annual basis. Following a notification in the Federal Register, 
interested parties would be invited to recommend additions to and 
subtractions from the two lists and to provide data supporting those 
recommendations. Supporting data might include information about 
commercial availability through domestic production or importation. AMS 
would publish any recommendations, along with relevant data and other 
information submitted, on its website, and would solicit comments on 
the recommendations. AMS would review submissions and comments from 
interested parties, and would review available data from other sources 
to determine whether revisions to the lists would be appropriate. Final 
notification regarding revisions to the lists would be published in the 
Federal Register. Proposed Sec.  66.7(c) would provide for an 18-month 
grace period to allow regulated entities time to revise food labels 
appropriately following revisions to the two lists of commercially 
available BE foods in the U.S.
Treatment of Technologies
    As to specific technologies, AMS recognizes that technologies 
continue to evolve, and that food produced through a specific 
technology may or may not meet the definition of BE food. The proposed 
process for establishing and amending the BE food lists would provide a 
vehicle by which AMS could evaluate whether a particular crop meets the 
definition of ``bioengineering.'' As part of this process for amending 
the BE food lists, AMS would consult with the U.S. Government agencies 
responsible for oversight of the products of biotechnology--USDA-APHIS, 
EPA, FDA and appropriate similar successor members of the Coordinated 
Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology--to understand if foods 
resulting from the new technologies would be consistent with the 
definition of ``bioengineered food'' and would be commercially 
available.
Request for Comments on the Lists
    AMS solicits comments on several aspects of the proposed lists, 
including the composition of the lists and whether the proposed cutoff 
at 85 percent adoption rate would support the presumption that the food 
is BE and thus would be appropriate for identifying foods on the list 
of highly adopted BE foods. We are interested in whether another 
percentage rate would be more appropriate. We also seek comments on the 
potential impact and any burdens associated with maintaining separate 
lists for high and non-high adoption BE foods.
    It is possible that BE foods produced in the United States or in 
other countries do not appear on the proposed initial lists, but may be 
commercially available in the United States and should be added to the 
lists. AMS solicits input on the criteria used to create the lists, 
what foods should be listed, and on how best to identify those foods. 
AMS also seeks comments on whether the lists, as defined by foods 
commercially available in the United States, should be expanded to 
include foods produced in other countries, and if so, what would be the 
rationale to utilize an international list of foods for the NBFDS and 
what would be the sources for obtaining accurate data about BE foods 
produced abroad. AMS invites comments on how often the lists should be 
reviewed and revised, as well as timeframes for compliance when foods 
are added to or deleted from these two lists.
    AMS is aware that there are food that have completed FDA's 
voluntary premarket consultation process for food from GE plant 
varieties, or FDA's new animal drug approval process, such as rice 
cultivars, pink-fleshed pineapple cultivars, and salmon, but we have 
not included them on the initial lists of commercially available foods 
because we have no indication that they are currently commercially 
available. AMS seeks comments on whether these foods should be included 
on the initial list of commercially available BE foods that are not 
highly adopted. As well, comments are sought on practical ways to 
distinguish subsets of BE cultivars from non-BE cultivars, so as to 
minimize the compliance burden for regulated entities.
    AMS is aware that some foods produced through bioengineering may 
not necessarily be produced as crops in the same way that foods 
currently on the two lists are produced. For example, many enzymes, 
yeast, and a number of foods produced in controlled environments are 
produced using bioengineering. AMS seeks comments on whether such foods 
should be included on the lists and how AMS should describe them if 
added to either list. We request any information or data that may 
support the development of BE foods lists that promote the lowest cost 
policy and what the cost estimates of such lists may be.
2. Factors and Conditions
    In promulgating a regulation to carry out the standard, the amended 
Act directs the Secretary to establish a process for requesting and 
granting a determination by the Secretary regarding other factors and 
conditions under which a food is considered a BE food. 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(b)(2)(C). The amended Act does not specify the process by which 
the Secretary will determine other factors and conditions under which a 
food is considered a BE food; rather, it provides the Secretary with 
discretion in setting up such a process.
    Proposed Subpart C would describe the process by which people can 
submit a request or petition for a determination regarding other 
factors or conditions. The acceptance of a request or petition for 
determination regarding a factor or condition would then culminate in 
rulemaking to incorporate the factor or condition into the 
``bioengineered food'' definition. Rulemaking would allow for 
transparency and public participation in determining whether or not the 
definition of ``bioengineered food'' should be amended. Ultimately, the 
impact of adopting the proposed factors or conditions (as follows) 
would be to limit the scope of the definition of ``bioengineered 
food,'' thus potentially excluding certain products from disclosure.
    Under proposed Sec.  66.200, the determination process would begin 
with the submission of a request or petition for determination 
regarding other factors and conditions under which a food is considered 
a BE food in accordance with proposed Sec.  66.204. Proposed Sec.  
66.204 describes the process for submitting a request or petition, 
including where to send the submission. The submission would need to 
include a description and analysis of the requested new factor or 
condition and any supporting document or data. Proposed Sec.  66.204 
would describe how to properly mark confidential business information 
that may be included to support the request, to ensure its 
confidentiality. Finally, proposed Sec.  66.204 instructs that the 
submission would need to explain how the standards for consideration 
apply to the requested factor or condition.
    Because the amended Act provides no criteria for the Secretary to 
determine other factors and conditions under which a food is considered 
a BE food, for purposes of transparency, proposed Sec.  66.202 
describes the standards for consideration by which the Secretary's 
designee, the AMS Administrator, would evaluate the request or 
petition. Given the already existing statutory definition of 
``bioengineering,'' the first standard, in proposed paragraph (a), 
would require the requested factor or

[[Page 19866]]

condition to be within the scope of the definition of 
``bioengineering'' in 7 U.S.C. 1639(1). The second standard, in 
proposed paragraph (b), would require the Administrator to evaluate the 
cost of implementation and compliance. In applying this second 
standard, the Administrator would evaluate the cost related to the 
factor or condition, the difficulty for affected food manufacturers and 
importers to implement the factor or condition, especially small 
businesses, and the difficulty AMS would have in monitoring compliance 
with the factor or condition. Proposed paragraph (c) would allow the 
Administrator to consider other relevant information as part of the 
evaluation. Relevant information for a particular proposed factor or 
condition would include its compatibility with the food labeling 
requirements of other Federal agencies or foreign governments. In 
determining compatibility with other requirements, AMS would consult 
with the U.S. Government agencies responsible for oversight of the 
products of biotechnology: USDA-APHIS, EPA, and FDA. Such information 
may allow AMS to align the NBFDS with the standards of other Federal 
agencies or foreign governments, which may facilitate interstate 
commerce and trade by allowing for recognition of compatible standards.
    The Administrator would also consult with the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) to ensure the request or petition regarding other 
factors and conditions related to BE disclosure requirements results in 
implementation in a manner consistent with international trade 
obligations as mandated by 7 U.S.C. 1639c(a). If the Administrator 
determines that the request or petition satisfies the standards for 
consideration, AMS would initiate rulemaking that seeks to amend the 
definition of ``bioengineered food'' in proposed Sec.  66.1 to include 
the factor or condition.
    Among public comments AMS received in response to the 30 questions 
were requests that we include certain factors or conditions for 
consideration. AMS believes that two of the submitted requests may 
satisfy the proposed standards and may constitute factors and 
conditions under which a food is considered a BE food. Those requests 
involved (1) whether incidental additives present in food should be 
considered ``bioengineered food'' and labeled accordingly; and (2) 
whether the modified genetic material in a highly refined food may be 
detected. The proposed definition of ``bioengineered food'' includes 
the first requested factor or condition (incidental additives), but 
does not include the second (detection). AMS seeks comment on whether 
the final rule should incorporate one or both of them into the 
definition. The impact of adopting these factors or conditions would be 
to limit the scope of the definition of ``bioengineered food,'' thus 
potentially excluding certain products from disclosure.
a. Incidental Additives
    The first factor or condition concerns a BE food that is an 
incidental additive. As described in 21 CFR 101.100(a)(3), incidental 
additives that are present in food at an insignificant level and do not 
have any technical or functional effect in the food are exempt from 
certain labeling requirements under the FDCA. Commenters in response to 
AMS' 30 questions requested that incidental additives not be subject to 
disclosure under the proposed NBFDS because they are exempt from 
inclusion in the ingredient statement on a food label, according to 21 
CFR 101.100(a)(3). AMS is aware that an ingredient that is required to 
be listed in the ingredient list in one instance may be used in another 
product as an incidental additive that is not required to be included 
in the ingredient list. Under this proposed factor or condition, such 
an item would only trigger disclosure when it is used as an ingredient 
that is included on the ingredient list, not when used as an incidental 
additive.
    Application of this factor or condition would fall within the scope 
of the definition of ``bioengineering'' in 7 U.S.C. 1639(1), and thus 
meets the first standard for consideration. This factor or condition 
may also satisfy the second standard for consideration--cost of 
implementation and compliance. Aligning the disclosure requirements of 
the NBFDS with the ingredient declaration requirements under applicable 
FDA regulations may simplify compliance and reduce labeling costs for 
regulated entities. Finally, AMS finds it relevant that adoption of 
this factor or condition may be compatible with the food labeling 
requirements of other Federal agencies and some foreign governments.
    The impact of adopting this proposed factor or condition as not 
being within the definition of ``bioengineered food'' would be to 
exclude certain incidental additives from disclosure. Based on public 
comments, AMS believes adopting this factor or condition may exempt a 
number of enzymes that are currently used in food production but not 
currently listed in the ingredient statement on a food label. However, 
based on those same comments, AMS is aware that some enzymes may be 
used in a manner that requires them to be labeled on the ingredient 
statement. If this proposed factor or condition is adopted, AMS 
believes that enzymes that are required to be listed on the ingredient 
list would be subject to disclosure. As such, AMS seeks comment on 
whether, more generally, enzymes present in food should be considered 
``bioengineered food.'' As a result, we are proposing that ingredients 
exempt from labeling pursuant to 21 CFR 101.100(a)(3) would not be 
required to be disclosed under this regulation, unless the incidental 
additive would require disclosure pursuant to other labeling 
requirements under the FDCA.
b. Undetectable Recombinant DNA
    Several responses to the 30 questions requested that the NBFDS 
exclude food where the modified genetic material cannot be detected. 
Those responders cited research that found that refined sugar may not 
contain recombinant DNA.\12\ Should AMS ultimately decide to include 
highly refined ingredients within the definition of ``bioengineered 
food,'' (see Part II.C.1 above) this factor or condition, if adopted, 
would be a means to potentially exclude products where modified genetic 
material cannot be detected.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See Klein, J., Altenbuchner, J. and Mattes, R. (1998), 
``Nucleic acid and protein elimination during the sugar 
manufacturing process of conventional and transgenic sugar beets'', 
J. Biotechnology, Vol. 60, pp. 145--153; see also Oguchi, T., 
Chikagawa, Y., Kodama, T., Suzuki, E., Kasahara, M., Akiyama, H., 
Teshima, R., Futo, S., Hino, A., Furui, S. and Kitta, K. (2009), 
``Investigation of residual DNAs in sugar from sugar beet (Beta 
vulgaris L.)'', J. Food Hyg. Soc. Japan, Vol. 50, pp. 41-43.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Were AMS to ultimately adopt ``Position 2'' as discussed above, AMS 
believes that this requested factor or condition would be consistent 
with the statutory definition of ``bioengineering'' in that the food 
product would be presumed to contain modified genetic material. 
Therefore, in applying the standards for consideration, this factor or 
condition would be within the scope of the definition of 
``bioengineering'' in 7 U.S.C. 1639(1).
    This requested factor or condition may also satisfy the second 
standard as it could impact the cost of compliance. If regulated 
entities can demonstrate that the manufacturing process results in a 
final product where the modified genetic material cannot be detected 
and their records prove as such, food subjected to that process would 
no longer be considered a bioengineered food.

[[Page 19867]]

    To demonstrate that modified genetic material cannot be detected, 
AMS proposes that regulated entities would need to maintain records 
showing that food subjected to a specific process has been tested for 
that purpose by a laboratory accredited under ISO/ICE 17025:2017 
standards, using methodology validated according to Codex Alimentarius 
guidelines.\13\ AMS seeks comment on inclusion of this proposed factor, 
which would exclude from the disclosure standard food products that 
demonstrate that modified genetic material cannot be detected, 
including how difficult it would be for regulated entities, especially 
small businesses, to implement it. We also seek comment on alternative 
suggestions for other methods of demonstrating that modified genetic 
material cannot be detected.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Codex Alimentarius Guidelines on Performance Criteria and 
Validation of Methods for Detection, Identification and 
Quantification of Specific DNA Sequences and Specific Proteins in 
Foods (CAC/GL 74-2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, AMS understands that several foreign governments exempt 
food from BE disclosure where the bioengineered genetic material has 
been removed. For example, South Korea has a process to exempt food 
from disclosure if a food manufacturer submits a document confirming 
that a product or a raw ingredient does not contain a foreign DNA or 
protein; the supporting document can be based upon a test result or 
substance purification document. Australia and New Zealand do not 
require BE foods to be labeled as such when the BE food ``has been 
highly refined where the effect of the refining process is to remove 
novel DNA or novel protein'' and the final product does not differ from 
a non-BE version (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code--Standard 
1.5.2). If the final product is different from a non-BE version, such 
as high oleic soybean oil or high lysine corn, the product is subject 
to BE labeling. Id. AMS may consider compatibility with the standards 
of foreign countries that are the United States' trading partners as 
relevant information in evaluating this requested factor or condition.

D. Exemptions

    The amended Act includes two express exemptions to the disclosure 
requirement: food served in a restaurant or similar retail food 
establishment and very small food manufacturers. 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(b)(2)(G). Proposed Sec.  66.5 would incorporate those exemptions 
into the NBFDS. Therefore, food served in a restaurant or similar 
retail food establishment and very small food manufacturers would not 
be required to display any form of disclosure. The amended Act also 
authorizes the Secretary to ``determine the amounts of a bioengineered 
substance that may be present in food, as appropriate, in order for the 
food to be a bioengineered food.'' 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(B). As 
discussed below, foods with amounts of BE substance below an 
established threshold level would also be exempt from disclosure under 
the NBFDS.
    The amended Act also prohibits a food derived from an animal to be 
considered a BE food solely because the animal consumed feed produced 
from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance. 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(b)(2)(A). Finally, Subtitle F also specifies that certification 
of food under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National 
Organic Program (NOP) (7 CFR part 205) shall be considered sufficient 
to make claims about the absence of bioengineering in the food. 7 
U.S.C. 6524. AMS proposes that Sec.  66.5 include these as regulatory 
exemptions.
1. Food Served in a Restaurant or Similar Retail Food Establishment
    The exemption in proposed Sec.  66.5(a) would exempt food served in 
restaurants or similar retail food establishments from the NBFDS. In 
Sec.  66.1, AMS is proposing to define ``similar retail food 
establishment'' as: ``a cafeteria, lunch room, food stand, saloon, 
tavern, bar, lounge, other similar establishment operated as an 
enterprise engaged in the business of selling prepared food to the 
public, or salad bars, delicatessens, and other food enterprises 
located within retail establishments that provide ready-to-eat foods 
that are consumed either on or outside of the retailer's premises.'' 
This definition would be consistent with the definition of ``food 
service establishment'' included in other labeling programs under the 
amended Act. See 7 U.S.C. 1638(3) and the regulations at 7 CFR 60.107 
and 7 CFR 65.140, with minor modifications. AMS seeks comment on the 
scope of this definition.
2. Very Small Food Manufacturers
    Proposed Sec.  66.1 would define ``very small food manufacturer'' 
as: ``any food manufacturer with annual receipts of less than 
$2,500,000.'' This definition would apply to both domestic and foreign 
food manufacturers. The Small Business Administration does not have a 
definition of very small business that we can rely on as a starting 
point for defining ``very small food manufacturer.'' However, FDA 
exempts certain food from certain labeling requirements or subjects it 
to special labeling requirements if the food is offered for sale by 
certain persons who have annual gross sales made or business done in 
sales to consumers that are not more than $500,000 under certain 
conditions. See 21 CFR 101.9(j)(1)(i) and 21 CFR 101.36(h)(1). More 
generally, the U.S. Census Bureau defines a ``very small enterprise'' 
for purposes of its annual Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB) as a 
business having fewer than 20 employees.
    To evaluate the impact of various definitions of ``very small food 
manufacturer'' we estimated the number of firms that would be covered 
by such an exemption, the number of products that would likely be 
exempt at various levels for which SUSB data is available, and the 
proportion of annual industry sales that would be exempt at each level. 
The number (proportion) of firms exempted gives us a sense of the level 
of relief we would be able to provide to small firms. The number of 
products gives us a sense of how much the costs of the rule would 
likely be reduced by an exemption at a given level (as well as the 
number of products that will not provide consumers with the additional 
bioengineering information). The proportion of sales gives us insight 
into how likely it is for a consumer to encounter an unlabeled product 
(that may otherwise require disclosure) in the marketplace.
    The following tables show the cumulative percentage of firms, 
products (UPCs), and sales that would be exempt if the definition of 
``very small food manufacturer'' were set at the top of each of the 
annual revenue ranges (based on the 2012 SUSB):

[[Page 19868]]



                                               Food Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cumulative
                                                                    Cumulative      percent of      Cumulative
                Establishment receipts threshold                    percent of       products       percent of
                                                                   firms exempt       exempt       sales exempt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<100,000........................................................              20               0               0
100,000-499,999.................................................              45               1               0
500,000-999,999.................................................              58               2               1
1,000,000-2,499,999.............................................              74               4               1
2,500,000-4,999,999.............................................              81               6               2
5,000,000-7,499,999.............................................              84               7               3
7,500,000-9,999,999.............................................              86               8               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                        Dietary Supplement Manufacturers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cumulative
                                                                    Cumulative      percent of      Cumulative
                Establishment receipts threshold                    percent of       products       percent of
                                                                   firms exempt       exempt       sales exempt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<100,000........................................................            7.36            0.02            0.00
100,000-499,999.................................................           16.75            0.12            0.10
500,000-999,999.................................................           26.14            0.33            0.32
1,000,000-2,499,999.............................................           45.18            1.54            1.26
2,500,000-4,999,999.............................................           59.14            3.26            2.63
5,000,000-7,499,999.............................................           62.18            3.83            3.15
7,500,000-9,999,999.............................................           63.96            4.41            3.63
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applying the FDA exemptions at 21 CFR 101.9(j)(1)(i) and 21 CFR 
101.36(h)(1), as described above, would exempt 45 percent of 
manufacturers, only one percent of products, less than 0.5 percent of 
sales for food manufacturers, only 17 percent of firms, and about a 
tenth of a percent of products and sales for dietary supplement 
manufacturers. In conducting the Regulatory Impact Analysis,we 
estimated the impacts of the U.S. Census Bureau's definition of very 
small (less than 20 employees), and they fall somewhere between the 
$2.5 million annual sales cutoff and the $5 million annual sales 
cutoff. Both of these revenue cutoff levels for the definition of 
``very small food manufacturer'' offer significantly greater relief for 
small manufacturers while still having a relatively minor impact on the 
amount of information available to consumers.
    The proposed definition of ``very small food manufacturer'' as a 
food manufacturer with annual receipts less than $2.5 million would 
provide regulatory relief to 74 percent of food manufacturers (45 
percent of dietary supplement manufacturers) while reducing the 
products covered by four percent (two percent for dietary supplements) 
and number of purchases covered by only one percent for both food and 
dietary supplement manufacturers.
    We seek comment on alternative revenue cutoffs of $500,000 and 
$5,000,000.
3. Threshold
    The amended Act provides that the regulation promulgated by the 
Secretary ``shall determine the amounts of a bioengineered substance 
that may be present in food, as appropriate, in order for the food to 
be a bioengineered food.'' 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(B). In establishing a 
proposed threshold to implement this section of the amended Act, AMS 
seeks to minimize costs and impacts on the domestic and international 
value chain while providing practicality and consistency for regulated 
entities and consumers regarding implementation. Respondents to AMS' 30 
questions offered a number of concepts to consider regarding 
thresholds, including different threshold levels for determining 
exemptions to the disclosure requirement (0.9, 5, and 10 percent), and 
different ways of calculating the threshold (by ingredient or by total 
weight).
    In an effort to minimize costs for regulated entities, AMS is 
proposing and seeking comment on three different alternative 
thresholds, each of which would be verified through the regulated 
entity's customary and reasonable business records. Regulated entities 
could apply the threshold to a particular product in order to 
demonstrate that a product is not subject to disclosure. Details of the 
proposed alternatives are described below.
    In the section authorizing the creation of a threshold, the amended 
Act uses but does not define the term ``bioengineered substance.'' See 
7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(B). Therefore, AMS proposes a definition of 
``bioengineered substance'' that incorporates the statutory definition 
of ``bioengineering.'' As set forth in Sec.  66.1, ``bioengineered 
substance'' would mean ``matter that contains genetic material that has 
been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) 
techniques and for which the modification could not otherwise be 
obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.''
a. Alternative 1-A (for Sec.  66.5(c))
    The first proposed alternative would establish that food in which 
an ingredient contains a BE substance that is inadvertent or 
technically unavoidable, and accounts for no more than five percent 
(5%) of the specific ingredient by weight, would not be subject to 
disclosure as a result of that one ingredient. Any other use of a food 
or food ingredient that contained a BE substance would be subject to 
disclosure.
    Some food manufacturers that provided input to AMS advocated for 
this threshold because it would acknowledge the realities of the food 
supply chain. BE crops and non-BE crops are frequently grown in close 
proximity to each other, transported in

[[Page 19869]]

the same equipment, processed on the same machinery, and in some cases 
used by the same manufacturers. Because of this coexistence, allowing 
for an insignificant amount of a BE substance, when that amount is 
inadvertent or technically unavoidable, may be practical.
    For purposes of the proposed rule, AMS would consider inadvertent 
or technically unavoidable presence to mean insignificant amounts of a 
BE substance in food that resulted from the coexistence of BE and non-
BE foods in the supply chain. For example, if a non-BE corn flour 
contained trace amounts of BE corn that could have originated from corn 
grown in a neighboring field or residues left on transportation or 
processing equipment, those trace amounts would be considered 
inadvertent or technically unavoidable.
    This alternative may align with existing industry practices. Under 
current practices, many food and ingredient suppliers separate BE and 
non-BE foods throughout the supply chain, beginning at the farm and 
continuing through the creation of a finished food product. AMS 
understands that there are existing industry standards and practices 
for keeping BE and non-BE food separate as they travel throughout the 
supply chain, and those standards and practices may be sufficient for 
complying with this proposed alternative threshold. However, some 
entities that are responsible for disclosure may not have adopted these 
standards and practices and would need to implement similar standards 
and practices to comply with this alternative threshold.
    For compliance, AMS would look to a regulated entity's records. If 
a regulated entity has records to demonstrate that they source non-BE 
ingredients, and can demonstrate through records that they take 
appropriate measures to separate BE and non-BE ingredients, then the 
presence of any BE substance would be considered inadvertent or 
technically unavoidable. Nevertheless, the product would be subject to 
disclosure if the amount of inadvertent or technically unavoidable BE 
substance in any one ingredient exceeded five percent by weight. Based 
on comments it has received, AMS believes this approach to determining 
compliance through recordkeeping would align with existing industry 
practices and records, which should minimize the amount of any new 
records that would need to be kept to demonstrate compliance.
b. Alternative 1-B (for Sec.  66.5(c))
    The second alternative proposal would establish that food, in which 
an ingredient contains a BE substance that is inadvertent or 
technically unavoidable, and accounts for no more than nine-tenths 
percent (0.9%) of the specific ingredient by weight, would not be 
subject to disclosure as a result of that one ingredient. Under this 
alternative, AMS would determine whether the use of a BE substance was 
inadvertent or technically unavoidable in the same way it would under 
alternative 1-A. Similarly, AMS would monitor compliance with the 
threshold by reviewing a regulated entity's records in the same way it 
would under alternative 1-A.
    AMS believes this approach could be less permissive than 
alternative 1-A because only products with a lesser amount of a BE 
substance would be exempt from disclosure. Based on comments, AMS 
believes this alternative may align with some existing industry 
standards for the separation of BE and non-BE products, as well as the 
thresholds established by some U.S. trading partners. Because some 
regulated entities currently have processes in place to meet this 
proposed alternative, this alternative may reduce implementation costs 
for some regulated entities. However, some regulated entities may need 
to change their processes to comply with this alternative.
c. Alternative 1-C (for Sec.  66.5(c))
    In addition to the two alternative thresholds proposed above, AMS 
seeks comment on another approach. Some commenters suggested that AMS 
should allow regulated entities to use a small amount of BE ingredients 
up to a certain threshold, such as 5% of the total weight of the 
product, before being required to label a product with a BE disclosure. 
Under this approach, a regulated entity could use ingredients it knew 
were bioengineered, and not have to disclose under the NBFDS, as long 
as the total amount of all BE ingredients used in the product were not 
greater than 5% of the total weight of the product. AMS believes that 
this approach would likely decrease the number of foods subject to 
disclosure, and may require regulated entities to create and maintain 
records they do not currently keep.
    AMS invites comments on the three alternative proposals, including 
on the administrative costs of creating and maintaining necessary 
records if they do not already exist. AMS also seeks specific comments 
on whether proposed threshold amounts should be increased or decreased, 
and the calculation and verification methods of each proposal. AMS 
requests public comment on the threshold option that would present the 
lowest costs to regulated entities, and the estimated costs of such a 
policy.
4. Animals Fed With Bioengineered Feed and their Products
    The amended Act prohibits a food derived from an animal from being 
considered a BE food solely because the animal consumed feed produced 
from, containing, or consisting of a BE substance. 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(b)(2)(A). Proposed Sec.  66.5(d) would incorporate this statutory 
exemption. For example, eggs used in a baked good, where the eggs come 
from a chicken fed feed produced from BE corn and soy, would not be 
considered bioengineered solely on the basis of the chicken's feed.
5. Food Certified Organic Under the National Organic Program
    Subtitle F states that ``In the case of food certified under the 
national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), the certification shall be 
considered sufficient to make a claim regarding the absence of 
bioengineering in the food, such as `not bioengineered', `non-GMO', or 
another similar claim.'' 7 U.S.C. 6524. Implicit in the statutory 
provision is that certified organic foods are not subject to BE 
disclosure. This implication, in conjunction with the Secretary's 
authority to consider establishing consistency between the NBFDS and 
the Organic Foods Production Act, permits a regulatory exemption for 
products certified organic under the NOP. See 7 U.S.C. 1639b(f). As 
such, proposed Sec.  66.5(e) would exempt certified organic foods from 
BE disclosure, so food manufacturers, retailers, and importers of 
certified organic food would not be required to maintain additional 
records to demonstrate that the organic food is not bioengineered for 
purpose of the NBFDS regulations.

III. Disclosure: What will the disclosure look like?

    As statutorily required, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure 
Standard, ``for the purposes of regulations promulgated and food 
disclosures made pursuant to[], a bioengineered food that has 
successfully completed the pre-market Federal regulatory review process 
shall not be treated as safer than, or not as safe as, a non-
bioengineered counterpart of the food solely because the food is 
bioengineered or produced or developed

[[Page 19870]]

with the use of bioengineering.'' The amended Act provides three 
disclosure options for all food subject to the mandatory BE food 
disclosure, as well as additional options for small food manufacturers, 
and requires that the Secretary provide reasonable alternative 
disclosure options for food contained in small and very small packages. 
7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(D), 1639b(b)(F), and 1639b(b)(E). In addition, the 
amended Act requires the Secretary to conduct a study to identify 
potential technological challenges that may impact whether consumers 
would have access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic 
or digital disclosure methods and provides specific factors to be 
considered in the study. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(1) and 1639(b)(c)(3). Based 
on the study, if the Secretary determines that consumers would not have 
sufficient access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic 
or digital disclosure methods, the Secretary, after consultation with 
food retailers and manufacturers, shall provide additional and 
comparable disclosure options. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(4).
    Proposed subpart B specifies: (1) Who would be responsible for the 
BE food disclosure in proposed Sec.  66.100; (2) the text disclosure in 
proposed Sec.  66.102; (3) the symbol alternatives in proposed Sec.  
66.104; (4) the electronic or digital link disclosure in proposed Sec.  
66.106; (5) the text message disclosure in proposed Sec.  66.108; (6) 
the disclosure options for small food manufacturers in proposed Sec.  
66.110; (7) the disclosure options for small or very small packages in 
proposed Sec.  66.112; (8) the disclosure for foods sold in bulk 
containers in proposed Sec.  66.114; (9) the voluntary disclosure in 
proposed Sec.  66.116; and (10) other claims in Sec.  66.118. As used 
in subpart B, the key terms include ``information panel'' and 
``label.'' As defined in proposed Sec.  66.1, these definitions would 
be consistent with those used in the National Organic Program (NOP) 
regulations, 7 CFR 205.2. In addition, the terms ``marketing and 
promotional information,'' ``principal display panel,'' ``small 
package,'' ``very small package,'' and ``small food manufacturer,'' are 
discussed in the section of the NPRM where the term is used.

A. General

1. Responsibility for Disclosure
    The amended Act permits a food to bear a disclosure that the food 
is bioengineered only in accordance with the regulations promulgated by 
the Secretary. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(1). Proposed Sec.  66.100(a) would 
identify three categories of entities responsible for disclosure: food 
manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers. If a food is packaged 
prior to receipt by a retailer, either the food manufacturer or the 
importer would be responsible for ensuring that the food label bears a 
BE food disclosure in accordance with this part. If a retailer packages 
a food, then the retailer would be responsible for ensuring that the 
food bears a BE food disclosure in accordance with this part.
    AMS believes that this approach would align responsibility for 
labeling with that currently required under other mandatory food 
labeling laws and regulations, including those administered by FDA and 
FSIS.
International Impact
    Under the proposed rule, importers would be subject to the same 
disclosure and compliance requirements as domestic entities. Generally, 
importers of foods on either AMS list of commercially available BE 
foods would be required to make appropriate disclosures on the labels 
of BE foods and would be required to verify, with appropriate records, 
that imported foods on the lists that do not bear disclosures are not 
bioengineered. However, to facilitate international trade, AMS would 
consider establishing recognition arrangements with appropriate foreign 
government entities that have established labeling standards for BE 
food. Under such arrangements, each country could agree to recognize 
each other's standards as comparable. Such an arrangement would allow 
importers to sell products in the U.S. that comply with the source 
nation's labeling standard for BE food, and therefore the NBFDS. 
Similarly, the arrangements could enable U.S. exporters to sell 
products abroad that meet NBFDS requirements, without requiring 
additional actions to comply with the partner nation's labeling 
standard for BE food. Under a mutual recognition arrangement, an 
importer bringing food from a partner country into the U.S. that is 
labeled in compliance with that country's BE food labeling laws, would 
only need to demonstrate with records that the food came from the 
partner country. Similarly, U.S. exporters could sell U.S. foods that 
are compliant with the NBFDS into partner countries and need only to 
demonstrate that the food came from the U.S.
    AMS would consider a number of factors before entering into mutual 
recognition arrangements. For example, AMS would consider whether the 
proposed partner nation's BE labeling requirement is mandatory, what 
threshold requirement is imposed, and what food products are subject to 
BE labeling.
    Imports of products from countries that do not have bioengineered 
food labeling regulations or with whom AMS had no mutual recognition 
arrangement would be subject to the disclosure and recordkeeping 
requirements of the NBFDS. U.S. exports to non-partner countries would 
need to continue to meet that country's import requirements.
    AMS seeks comment on any impact this proposal might have on 
importers. Comments are specifically invited on the degree to which 
elements of the labeling regulations between partner countries should 
be comparable and on the factors that should be considered in 
determining whether the U.S. would recognize another nation's labeling 
regulations as comparable through a mutual recognition arrangement. In 
addition to seeking comment on this proposal, AMS seeks comment from 
all stakeholders regarding any unique issues associated with BE 
disclosure for imports and on any potential impacts on international 
stakeholders. AMS will also conduct a World Trade Organization (WTO) 
notification and would also welcome comments on any potential impacts 
offered by international stakeholders, recognizing the statutory 
authority and parameters of the amended Act.
2. Appearance of Disclosure
    Proposed Sec.  66.100(c) would require the disclosure to be of 
sufficient size and clarity to appear prominently and conspicuously on 
the label, making it likely to be read and understood by the consumer 
under ordinary shopping conditions. AMS believes these requirements 
would align with other mandatory food labeling requirements, including 
those administered by FDA (21 CFR 101.15) and FSIS (9 CFR 317.2(b)). 
While FDA uses the term ``customary conditions of purchase,'' 21 CFR 
101.15, we have proposed to utilize the term ``ordinary shopping 
conditions'' as the statutory language references ``shopping'' in 7 
U.S.C. 1639b(c)(4). AMS considered prescribing specific type sizes for 
different disclosure options, but determined that the number and type 
of disclosure options, combined with the variety of food package sizes, 
shapes, and colors, would make prescriptive requirements too difficult 
to implement. AMS believes that the proposed performance standard would 
likely provide the BE food disclosure information to consumers in an 
accessible manner, while allowing the entities responsible for the 
disclosure to

[[Page 19871]]

have flexibility in implementing the requirements.
3. Placement of Disclosure
    Proposed Sec.  66.100(d) would provide that the BE food disclosure 
be placed in one of the following places: The information panel 
adjacent to the statement identifying the name and location of the 
manufacturer/distributor or similar information; anywhere on the 
principal display panel; or an alternate panel if there is insufficient 
space to place the disclosure on the information panel or the principal 
display panel. Proposed Sec.  66.100(d) would not apply to bulk foods 
(see proposed Sec.  66.114). ``Information panel'' as defined in 
proposed Sec.  66.1, would be consistent with the definitions found in 
the NOP regulations at 7 CFR 205.2, which largely reflect those found 
in FDA's food labeling regulations at 21 CFR 101.2. ``Principal display 
panel,'' as defined in proposed Sec.  66.1, would reflect the 
definition found in FDA's food labeling regulations at 21 CFR 101.1. If 
there is insufficient space on either the information panel or the 
principal display panel, AMS proposes that the disclosure may be placed 
on an alternate panel likely to be seen by a consumer under ordinary 
shopping conditions.
    AMS proposes locating the disclosure on the information panel or 
the principal display panel because we believe that is where consumers 
who are interested in additional food information typically look for 
information about their food. The information panel typically includes 
the nutrition fact panel, the ingredient list, the manufacturer/
distributor name and address, and, if applicable, the country of 
origin. The principal display panel typically includes the statement of 
identity and the net quantity statement in addition to other marketing 
claims. AMS believes that placing the BE food disclosure near this 
existing information would be effective because consumers would be able 
to see all the disclosures, statements, and marketing claims in one 
common place on the label.
    AMS proposes placing the disclosure adjacent to the manufacturer/
distributor name and location statement. Such placement should avoid 
interfering with other required statements on the information panel. In 
addition to addressing consumer preference, AMS also considered the 
impact on food manufacturers of prescribing a specific location for the 
disclosure. We believe that the information panel would be an 
appropriate location for a mandatory BE food disclosure because food 
manufacturers are accustomed to making statements and disclosures 
required by FDA and FSIS on the information panel. By also proposing 
that the disclosure may appear on the principal display panel, AMS 
acknowledges that some regulated entities may want to increase 
transparency or highlight specific traits from the BE food in tandem 
with the BE food disclosure. Pursuant to proposed Sec.  66.118, 
regulated entities would be able to make other claims regarding 
bioengineered foods, provided that such claims are consistent with 
applicable federal law.
    We believe this array of options would allow regulated entities 
adequate flexibility to tailor their chosen disclosures to most of 
their food package labels. However, in order to provide additional 
flexibility, AMS proposes a third option that would allow the placement 
of the disclosure on an alternate panel if there is insufficient space 
on the information panel or the principal display panel. The alternate 
panel would need to be visible to the consumer under ordinary shopping 
conditions to ensure the disclosure could be found without much effort.
4. How BE Food Lists Relate to Disclosure
    The purpose of the proposed lists of BE foods is to provide 
entities responsible for disclosure with a straightforward method of 
determining whether a food is or may be bioengineered, and thus would 
require BE disclosure. For products that contain a food on either of 
the lists, regulated entities would either make a disclosure consistent 
with the NBFDS or not disclose if they believe the food is not required 
to have a BE disclosure. For foods that would not have a BE disclosure, 
regulated entities would need to maintain documented verification that 
the food is not a BE food or that it does not contain a BE food. (See 
Recordkeeping section). If a regulated entity chooses to disclose, that 
entity has several options (text, symbol, electronic or digital link, 
and/or text message, with additional options available to small food 
manufacturers or for small or very small packages), with differing 
requirements, as described below. Regardless of the disclosure form 
they elect to use, regulated entities can look to the lists of 
commercially available BE foods as a means by which to determine if the 
food would be required to have a BE disclosure. For foods that display 
a BE disclosure, regulated entities would not need to maintain 
documented verification that the food is a BE food or that it does 
contain a BE food beyond those records that are believed to be 
currently maintained. AMS understands that all manufacturers and 
retailers maintain business records, such as purchase orders, invoices, 
and bills of lading, that verify information about the materials they 
source to make their products. AMS understands that importers maintain 
similar business records for the products they import.

B. Text Disclosure

    The amended Act allows for text disclosure of BE food as one option 
given to regulated entities. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(4). At the outset, for 
all on-package text disclosure options and alternatives, AMS proposes 
using the terms ``bioengineered food'' or ``bioengineered food 
ingredient.'' AMS considered using alternative phrases, such as 
``genetically modified'' or ``genetically engineered.'' However, AMS is 
not proposing any similar terms because we believe that the statutory 
term, ``bioengineering,'' adequately describes food products of the 
technology that Congress intended to be within the scope of the NBFDS.
    AMS proposes to differentiate between BE food and BE food 
ingredients through the on-package text disclosure alternatives. We 
believe this approach would recognize that some foods are entirely a 
product of bioengineering and that some foods are a mix of BE and non-
BE food ingredients.
1. High Adoption Bioengineered Food
    Proposed Sec.  66.102 would require use of the statements 
``Bioengineered food'' or ``Contains a bioengineered food ingredient'' 
for disclosure of BE food and BE food ingredients that appear on the 
list of BE foods with a high adoption rate. A food on this list would 
be presumed to be a BE food, absent documentation that would verify 
otherwise (see Recordkeeping section). AMS believes that this is a 
reasonable presumption because, at 85 percent or higher adoption rate, 
there is a high likelihood that the food would be bioengineered. 
Additionally, given the high adoption rate, it is likely that farmers 
who are producing a non-BE variety of a crop on the list are doing so 
intentionally and are marketing their product as such. For those 
reasons, we are not proposing to allow foods on, or foods produced from 
crops on, this list to bear a ``may'' disclosure.
    For BE food or BE food ingredients that appear on the high-adoption 
list, entities would be required to use one of two alternative 
statements. The first statement--``Bioengineered food''--would be for 
raw agricultural products

[[Page 19872]]

that meet the proposed definition of ``bioengineered food,'' as well as 
for processed products that only contain BE food ingredients (e.g. BE 
cornmeal). The second statement--``Contains a bioengineered food 
ingredient''--would be for all other foods. AMS believes this statement 
would cover all multi-ingredient products that contain both BE food 
ingredients and non-BE food ingredients (e.g. processed food products 
such as cereals). Regardless of which statement is applicable, the 
disclosure must be legible under ordinary shopping conditions.
2. Non-High Adoption BE Food
    AMS is proposing that regulated entities would disclose the 
presence or possible presence of BE food and BE food ingredients that 
are on the list of BE foods commercially available, but not highly 
adopted, in the United States using the following statements: 
``Bioengineered food,'' ``May be bioengineered food,'' ``Contains a 
bioengineered food ingredient,'' or ``May contain a bioengineered food 
ingredient.'' The default presumption would be that any foods on the 
non-high adoption BE food list may be bioengineered, and regulated 
entities would have discretion to use any of these disclosure options.
    The use of the more affirmative statements, ``Bioengineered food'' 
or ``Contains a bioengineered food ingredient'' for food on the non-
high adoption BE food list would be used at the discretion of the 
regulated entity. For example, one manufacturer who packages ears of 
sweet corn for retail sale may not have records indicating the corn is 
bioengineered, but since sweet corn is on the list of non-highly 
adopted BE foods, would be able to disclose that their packaged corn is 
``bioengineered food.''
    Another manufacturer may produce canned sweet corn, and may have 
records that enable it to distinguish between BE and non-BE sweet corn 
inventories. Nevertheless, since sweet corn is on the list of non-
highly adopted BE foods, the manufacturer would be able to use the 
``may be bioengineered'' disclosure.
    A manufacturer could prefer to use the ``may contain a 
bioengineered food ingredient'' disclosure when it sources squash from 
several suppliers. For instance, the manufacturer knows some suppliers 
provided BE squash, but isn't sure whether other suppliers provided BE 
squash. If the manufacturer does not track which squash goes into which 
food product, the manufacturer would be able to use the ``may contain a 
bioengineered food ingredient'' disclosure for all its products that 
contain squash.
    This approach acknowledges that the food supply chain is complex, 
and many entities could be sourcing both BE and non-BE versions of the 
same food or food ingredients from the non-highly adopted BE foods list 
and comingling those foods or combining those ingredients to form the 
final products. This approach attempts to avoid imposing additional 
costs on regulated entities by offering flexibility.
    Regardless of which statement is chosen, the disclosure must be 
legible under ordinary shopping conditions.
    AMS seeks comment on several aspects of the proposed text 
disclosure options, including any use of the ``may be'' or ``may 
contain'' disclosures. For example, should regulated entities be 
permitted to use a ``may'' disclosure for foods on the highly-adopted 
BE foods list? Should regulated entities be permitted to use a ``may'' 
disclosure for foods on the non-highly adopted BE foods list even if 
their records provide certainty that the foods are bioengineered? In 
addition, comments are requested on the potential impact of this 
proposal on recordkeeping activities, sourcing challenges, labeling 
costs, etc.
    For BE food that is distributed solely in a U.S. territory, AMS 
proposes in Sec.  66.102(c) that disclosure statements equivalent to 
those above be allowed in the predominant language of that territory. 
AMS believes this approach would make the BE food disclosure more 
accessible in territories where the predominant language is something 
other than English. AMS also believes this would allow regulated 
entities who only distribute food in a given territory to respond to 
consumer demand. AMS invites comments on ideas that would make the 
proposed on-package text disclosure options more accessible.

C. Symbol Disclosure

    A symbol is another form of BE food disclosure regulated entities 
can use as set forth in the amended Act. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(4). AMS 
proposes three alternative symbols with variations of those symbols, 
and invites comment on each alternative and its variation. The three 
symbols are designed to communicate the bioengineered status of a food 
in a way that would not disparage biotechnology or suggest BE food is 
more or less safe than non-BE food. Regulated entities would be able to 
use each alternative symbol to designate BE food, food that contains a 
BE food ingredient, a food that may be a BE food, or a food that may 
contain a BE food ingredient.

[[Page 19873]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04MY18.000

1. Alternative 2-A
    The first proposed alternate symbol is a circle with a green 
circumference, and the capital letters ``BE'' in white type located 
slightly below the center of the circle. The bottom portion of the 
circle contains an arch, filled in green, that resembles a rounded 
hill. Above that arch, about halfway through the height of the circle, 
is a second arch, filled in darker green, that resembles a second 
rounded hill. On the left side of the second arch, near the left side 
of the circle, is a stem coming from the second arch and arching 
towards the center of the circle, ending in a four-pointed starburst. 
The stem has two leaves coming from the upper side of the stem and 
pointing towards the top of the circle. At the top of the circle, to 
the left of center, in the background of the leaf, is a portion of a 
yellow circle that resembles a sun. The remainder of the circle is 
filled in light blue, resembling the sky.
2. Alternative 2-B
    The second proposed alternative symbol is a filled, green circle 
with the lower-case letters ``be'' in white type, slightly above the 
center of the circle. Just below the letters is an inverted, white 
arch, beginning just below the middle of the ``b'' and ending just 
below the middle of the ``e.'' Around the outside of the circle are ten 
(10) triangular leaves spread equally around the perimeter of the 
circle. The leaves transition from light green at the top of the circle 
to shades of yellow and orange on the sides, ending with dark orange 
leaves on the bottom of the circle.

[[Page 19874]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04MY18.001

3. Alternative 2-C
    The third proposed alternative symbol is a circle with a 
circumference made up of 12 separate, equally-spaced segments. The 
segments gradually transition from yellow at the top of the circle to 
dark orange at the bottom of the circle. The interior of the circle is 
a white background with the lowercase letters ``be'' in green type, 
located slightly above the center of the circle. Below the letters is 
an inverted, green arch, beginning below the center of the ``b'' and 
ending below the center of the ``e.'' Inside the middle of the ``b'' is 
a bifurcated leaf.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04MY18.002

    AMS recognizes that a multi-colored product label may increase 
printing costs or disrupt product design in other ways. Therefore, 
similar to use of the USDA Organic seal under the NOP, AMS proposes to 
allow regulated entities to use a black and white version of the 
symbol. Regardless of colors, the symbol would still be required to 
meet the appearance and placement requirements in proposed Sec.  
66.100. AMS invites comment on other reasonable modifications that 
would make the symbol easier to include on food packages, while still 
communicating the BE food disclosure to consumers. We also invite 
comment on whether the word ``Bioengineered'' should be incorporated 
into the design of the chosen disclosure symbol. We also seek comment 
on whether the phrase ``May be'' should be incorporated into the design 
of one of the disclosure symbols above to account for ``may'' 
disclosures.
    A supplemental document to this NPRM will contain the proposed 
symbols in full color as well as other variations of the symbols 
incorporating the words ``bioengineered'' and ``may be.'' The document 
may be viewed in the docket for this rulemaking at regulations.gov. As 
statutorily required, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure 
Standard, ``for the purposes of regulations promulgated and food 
disclosures made pursuant to[], a bioengineered food that has 
successfully completed the pre-market Federal regulatory review process 
shall not be treated as safer than, or not as safe as, a non-
bioengineered counterpart of the food solely because the food is 
bioengineered or produced or developed with the use of 
bioengineering.'' As with all other forms of disclosure, this 
requirement applies to the proposed symbols. AMS requests public 
comment, particularly available research findings and factual 
information, on the interpretation of

[[Page 19875]]

each of the proposed symbol disclosures, specifically with regard to 
the following topics: (1) Perceptions, beliefs, or feelings in response 
to each of the proposed symbols; and (2) interpretation of the proposed 
symbols (i.e. what message a consumer would think each symbol is 
communicating). We are aware that some entities may have completed or 
expect to complete before the end of the comment period research, 
investigative studies, surveys and/or focus groups with the intention 
of evaluating consumer perceptions of disclosure symbols. We would be 
glad to receive through the public comment process any information such 
entities would like to provide to further inform this rulemaking.

D. Electronic or Digital Link Disclosure

    The third disclosure option available for regulated entities to use 
is an electronic or digital link disclosure. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(D), 
1639b(d). The amended Act requires that the use of an electronic or 
digital link to disclose BE food must be accompanied by the statement 
``Scan here for more food information'' or equivalent language that 
reflects technological changes. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(d)(1). This statutory 
requirement would be incorporated in proposed Sec.  66.106(a)(1). AMS 
recognizes that electronic and digital links currently used on food 
products in the marketplace take different forms and the amended Act 
allows for equivalent statements that reflect technological changes. 
Current technology includes, among others, quick response codes that 
are detectable by consumers and digital watermark technology that is 
imperceptible to consumers, but can be scanned anywhere on a food 
package using a smart phone or other device. Consequently, AMS proposes 
two examples of alternative statements that could appear above or below 
an electronic or digital link to direct consumers to the link to the BE 
food disclosure. The proposed examples are: ``Scan anywhere on package 
for more food information'' and ``Scan icon for more food 
information.'' Each would reflect changes in technology but still would 
provide consumers with the instruction necessary to access the 
disclosure. We are not including examples for all statements that 
reflect changes in technology, and we invite comments on other 
statements that may reflect changes in electronic or digital link 
technology.
    Proposed Sec.  66.106(a)(2) would incorporate the amended Act's 
requirement to include a telephone number that provides access to the 
BE food disclosure. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(d)(4). The proposal would further 
require that the disclosure be available regardless of the time of day, 
and that the telephone number be located in close proximity to the 
electronic or digital link. The proposal would also require that the 
statement ``Call for more food information'' be utilized.
    The amended Act requires the electronic or digital link to provide 
the bioengineering disclosure on the first product information page 
accessed through the link, without any marketing or promotional 
material. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(d)(2). Proposed Sec.  66.106(b) would 
incorporate this requirement. The proposal would define marketing or 
promotional material to mean ``any written, printed, audiovisual, or 
graphic information--including advertising, pamphlets, flyers, 
catalogues, posters, and signs--distributed, broadcast, or made 
available to assist in the sale or promotion of a product.'' This 
definition would be consistent with that in the NOP regulations at 7 
CFR 205.2.
    AMS proposes that the disclosure on the product information page 
conform to the requirements of the text disclosure in proposed Sec.  
66.102 or the symbol disclosure in proposed Sec.  66.104. AMS believes 
that using a uniform, consistent approach to the disclosure language 
and symbol would make it easier for consumers to understand the 
disclosure, whether that language or symbol appears on a food label or 
an electronic or digital device. AMS also believes that this approach 
would make compliance easier for entities responsible for disclosing 
and ensuring consistency in the communication of required disclosure 
information.
    If the entity responsible for the disclosure chooses to use an 
electronic or digital link, the amended Act requires the entity not 
collect, analyze, or sell any personally identifiable information about 
consumers or their devices. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(d)(3)(A). Under proposed 
Sec.  66.106(b)(4), if such information must be collected in order to 
fulfill the disclosure requirements, that information would need to be 
deleted immediately and not used for any other purpose. 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(d)(3)(B). AMS believes this language in the amended Act is self-
explanatory and did not propose additional language in the proposed 
rule.
    AMS received requests to allow additional information about BE food 
to be included in the disclosure. The proposed regulations would not 
prohibit such additional information, but if the information is 
presented to the public, it must be done outside of the landing page 
that includes the BE food disclosure.

E. Study on Electronic or Digital Disclosure and a Text Message 
Disclosure Option

    The amended Act requires the Secretary to conduct a study to 
identify potential technological challenges that may impact whether 
consumers would have access to the bioengineering disclosure through 
electronic or digital disclosure methods. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(1). The 
Department contracted with Deloitte Consulting LLP to perform the 
study, received the study results from Deloitte Consulting LLP on July 
27, 2017, and made the study available to the public on September 6, 
2017, at https://www.ams.usda.gov/reports/study-electronic-or-digital-disclosure. AMS invites comment on the study and its results.
    As required by the amended Act, the study considered five factors: 
The availability of wireless internet or cellular networks; the 
availability of landline telephones in stores; challenges facing small 
retailers and rural retailers; the efforts that retailers and other 
entities have taken to address potential technology and infrastructure 
challenges; and the costs and benefits of installing in retail stores 
electronic or digital link scanners or other evolving technologies that 
provide bioengineering disclosure information. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(3). 
The amended Act also requires the Secretary, after consultation with 
food retailers and manufacturers, to provide additional and comparable 
options to access the bioengineering disclosure, should the Secretary 
determine that consumers, while shopping, would not have sufficient 
access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic or digital 
disclosure methods. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(c)(4). The Secretary is reviewing 
the study and its results to decide whether to make that determination 
and will consider comments received when making that determination.
    Although the study is under review and no determination has been 
made, AMS is proposing an additional disclosure option, should the 
Secretary determine that consumers, while shopping, would not have 
sufficient access to the bioengineering disclosure through electronic 
or digital disclosure methods. Proposed Sec.  66.108 describes the one 
additional option--a text message. This text message option would 
operate similarly to the electronic or digital disclosure under 
proposed Sec.  66.106, but it would not rely on broadband access and 
would not require consumers to have smart phones in order to access the 
disclosure. Entities responsible for disclosure that

[[Page 19876]]

choose this option would be required to include a statement on the 
package that instructs consumers to ``Text [number] for more food 
information,'' where the number would be a phone number or short code. 
An automated response would immediately provide the disclosure using 
text in conformance with Sec.  66.102. Similar to the electronic or 
digital disclosure, the text message would not be allowed to contain 
marketing or promotional material and would not collect, analyze, or 
sell any personally identifiable information unless it would be 
necessary to complete the disclosure, immediately deleted, and not used 
for any other purpose. Additionally, the proposed rule would not allow 
the entity responsible for the disclosure to charge the consumer a fee 
to access the disclosure information.

F. Small Food Manufacturers

    The amended Act provides two additional disclosure options for 
small food manufacturers: (1) A telephone number accompanied by 
appropriate language to indicate that the phone number provides access 
to additional information; and (2) an internet website address. 7 
U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(F)(ii). In addition, in the case of small food 
manufacturers, the amended Act provides that the implementation date 
not be earlier than one year after the implementation date for 
regulations promulgated in accordance with the NBFDS. See 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(b)(2)(F)(i).
1. Definition
    AMS proposes to define ``small food manufacturer'' as ``any food 
manufacturer with less than $10 million in annual receipts but 
$2,500,000 or more in annual receipts.'' This definition would be 
similar to FDA's proposed rule to extend the compliance dates for 
manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales (see 82 
FR 45753). AMS seeks comment on this proposed definition.
    Proposed Sec.  66.110 provides two additional options that would be 
made available to small food manufacturers in addition to the text, 
symbol, electronic or digital link, or text message disclosure options. 
The two proposed options are disclosure by telephone number and by 
internet website.
2. Telephone Number
    Under proposed Sec.  66.110(a), if a small food manufacturer 
chooses to use a telephone number to disclose the presence of a BE food 
or BE food ingredients, text accompanying the telephone number would 
need to state ``Call for more food information.'' The telephone number 
would need to provide the BE food disclosure regardless of the time of 
day. Disclosure via telephone number would include a BE food disclosure 
that is consistent with proposed Sec.  66.102 in audio form. AMS 
believes that the requirement to provide the BE food disclosure at any 
time of day would be reasonable, given the different hours that 
consumers shop for groceries and the varying time zones in the United 
States. Because the disclosure by telephone can be accomplished through 
a recorded message, AMS does not believe that requiring the disclosure 
to be available at any time of day would increase the burden on small 
food manufacturers.
3. Internet Website
    Under proposed Sec.  66.110(b), if the small food manufacturer 
chooses to use an internet website to disclose the presence of BE food 
or BE food ingredients, text would need to accompany the website 
address on the label stating, ``Visit [Uniform Resource Locator of the 
website] for more food information.'' The website would need to meet 
the requirements for a product information page in proposed Sec.  
66.106(b). Disclosure via website would include a bioengineered food 
disclosure that is consistent with proposed Sec.  66.102 or Sec.  
66.104 in written form. AMS believes that implementing the internet 
website option for small food manufacturers in conformance with the 
requirements for the electronic or digital disclosure product 
information page would give small food manufacturers the flexibility to 
disclose in a way that is cost effective for a small business, while 
providing disclosure to consumers and the same level of protection for 
personally identifiable information.

G. Small and Very Small Packages

    The amended Act requires the Secretary to provide alternative 
reasonable disclosure options for food contained in small or very small 
packages. 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(2)(E). In order to ensure consistency with 
existing labeling requirements, as defined in the proposed rule, the 
definition of ``small packages'' was taken from FDA labeling 
requirements at 21 CFR 101.9(j)(17). The definition of ``very small 
package'' was also taken from FDA labeling requirements at 21 CFR 
101.9(j)(13)(i)(B). Under proposed Sec.  66.112, AMS included three 
options that it believes would be feasible for small and very small 
packages: A modified version of the electronic or digital link 
disclosure in proposed Sec.  66.106; a modified version of the text 
message in proposed Sec.  66.108; and a modified version of the phone 
number disclosure in proposed Sec.  66.110. In addition, for very small 
packages, regulated entities would be allowed to use a label's 
preexisting Uniform Resource Locator or telephone number for 
disclosure.
    For the modified version of the electronic or digital link, 
proposed Sec.  66.112(a) would allow entities responsible for 
disclosure to utilize the electronic or digital link in proposed Sec.  
66.106, but replace the statement ``Scan here for more food 
information'' and accompanying phone number required in proposed 
paragraph (a) of that section with the statement ``Scan for info.'' AMS 
believes that shortening the statement and removing the phone number 
may make the electronic or digital link disclosure small enough to fit 
on small and very small packages.
    For the modified version of the text message, proposed Sec.  
66.112(b) would allow entities responsible for disclosure to utilize 
the text message in proposed Sec.  66.108, but replace the statement 
``Text [number] for more food information'' with ``Text for info.'' AMS 
believes that shortening the statement may make the text message 
disclosure small enough to fit on small and very small packages.
    Similarly, AMS believes that a phone number with a short statement 
could be small enough to fit on small and very small packages. Proposed 
Sec.  66.112(c) would require the disclosure to meet the requirements 
of proposed Sec.  66.110, but would replace the statement ``Call for 
more food information'' with ``Call for info.''
    AMS recognizes that very small packages have limited surface area 
on which to bear labels. Under proposed Sec.  66.112(d), for very small 
packages, if the preexisting label includes a Uniform Resource Locator 
for a website or a telephone number that a person can use to obtain 
other food information, that website or telephone number may also be 
used for the BE food disclosure, provided that the disclosure is 
consistent with proposed Sec.  66.102 in written or audio form.
    During the formulation of this proposed rule, stakeholders 
representing food manufacturers who use small and very small packages 
indicated that using the symbol under proposed Sec.  66.104 could be a 
viable disclosure option. Accordingly, the proposed symbol and other 
disclosure options available to all entities responsible for disclosure 
would still be available to those who package foods in small and very 
small packages. AMS believes providing the additional

[[Page 19877]]

options described above would provide needed flexibility for disclosure 
on small and very small food packages.

H. Foods Sold in Bulk Containers

    Because bulk products, such as cornmeal in a bin or unpackaged 
produce, are frequently displayed without packaging and placed on 
display by retailers, rather than food manufacturers or importers, AMS 
proposes that retailers would be responsible for complying with the BE 
food disclosure of bulk food. AMS believes this approach is similar to 
the approach AMS has used previously, and that retailers would be 
accustomed to ensuring that bulk food appears with appropriate signage.
    AMS proposes in Sec.  66.114(a) that the BE food disclosure on bulk 
foods be allowed to appear using any of the options for on-package 
disclosure, including: Text, symbol, electronic or digital link, or 
text message (if applicable). The disclosure would be required to 
appear on signage or other materials (stickers, bindings, etc.) on or 
near the bulk item. AMS believes the requirement that the signage or 
materials include the disclosure would allow consumers to easily 
identify and understand the bioengineered status of the food. Retailers 
who use an electronic or digital link would be required to place any 
sign or image to be scanned in a place readily accessible by consumers. 
For all other disclosure options, AMS believes that signs currently 
used on or near bulk items, when supplemented with the BE food 
disclosure, would be sufficient to comply with the requirements of the 
amended Act.

I. Voluntary Disclosure

    AMS received questions from the public about whether voluntary 
disclosure would be an option for food that would not be subject to the 
NBFDS disclosure. We recognize that some entities responsible for 
disclosure may want to provide a BE disclosure even though they are 
exempted, e.g. very small food manufacturers, to provide information 
that their consumers may seek. The amended Act at 7 U.S.C. 1639b(b)(1) 
provides that, ``[a] food may bear a disclosure that the food is 
bioengineered only in accordance with regulations promulgated by the 
Secretary in accordance with this subchapter.'' In accordance with this 
provision, and to ensure that entities responsible for disclosure would 
have the option to disclose bioengineering information regarding foods 
that may not be subject to mandatory disclosure, AMS is proposing 
provisions in the NBFDS that would allow for such voluntary labeling 
for food that meets the definition of ``bioengineering'' in the 
statute. 7 U.S.C. 1639(1).
    The labeling framework described in proposed Sec.  66.116 would 
allow for the voluntary use of disclosure methods as provided for foods 
that would be required to be labeled under the NBFDS. For example, a 
very small food manufacturer would be able to use an on-package text, 
an electronic disclosure, the BE symbol, a text message disclosure (if 
applicable), or a combination of the options to disclose BE food. It is 
important to note that when regulated entities take advantage of the 
disclosure provisions in Sec.  66.116, they would be required to comply 
with the disclosure requirements for text, symbol, digital or 
electronic link, or text message disclosure, as applicable. AMS is 
proposing this requirement to minimize consumer confusion.

IV. Administrative Provisions: Recordkeeping & Enforcement

A. Recordkeeping Requirements

1. What Records Are Required
    The amended Act requires each person subject to mandatory BE food 
disclosure under the proposed standard to maintain records such as the 
Secretary determines to be customary or reasonable in the food industry 
to establish compliance with the standard. See 7 U.S.C. 1639b(g)(2). 
Persons required to keep such records would include food manufacturers, 
importers, retailers who label bulk foods or package and label foods 
for retail sale, and any other entities responsible for labeling for 
retail sale foods on the BE food lists. Proposed Sec.  66.302(a)(1) 
would therefore require that entities responsible for disclosure 
maintain records that are customary or reasonable to demonstrate 
compliance with the BE food disclosure requirements. So long as the 
records would contain sufficient detail as to be readily understood and 
audited as set forth in proposed Sec.  66.302(a)(2), AMS anticipates 
that each entity subject to the disclosure requirement would decide for 
itself what records and records management protocol are appropriate, 
given the scope and complexity of individual businesses, as well as the 
food being produced.
    Commenters who provided input to AMS during the development of this 
proposed rule suggested that AMS pattern recordkeeping requirements for 
the NBFDS on other AMS regulations. Many commenters agreed that the 
records already customarily kept in the course of normal business, such 
as under those other AMS programs, should be adequate to satisfy 
recordkeeping needs under the BE food disclosure standard. Commenters 
also suggested that identity preservation records, organic 
certification records, genetic marker testing records, and records 
related to product labels and food product formulations should be 
maintained, with the caveat that company product formulations and 
recipes should remain confidential.
    Commenters agreed that the NBFDS's recordkeeping requirements 
should be adapted to the scope of the new standard and should not 
present an unreasonable burden to entities who must comply with the 
standard. Some commenters suggested that the NBFDS adopt recordkeeping 
requirements specified in FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act rules or 
in USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service regulations, but most 
suggested that because the proposed standard is not related to food 
safety, recordkeeping requirements consistent with other AMS marketing 
programs would be more appropriate.
2. How Recordkeeping Applies to Disclosure
    As described in the Disclosure section, AMS would maintain two 
lists: (1) A list of commercially available BE foods with a high 
adoption rate and (2) a list of commercially available BE foods not 
highly adopted. AMS understands that all manufacturers and retailers 
maintain business records, such as purchase orders, invoices, and bills 
of lading, that verify information about the materials they source to 
make their products. AMS understands that importers maintain similar 
business records for the products they import. Such records must be 
maintained for foods on either of these lists. As explained further 
below, entities responsible for disclosure would be required to 
maintain records necessary to substantiate compliance with the 
standards for individual disclosure options, including the type and 
wording of the disclosure used, and to substantiate the claim included 
in the disclosure or implied by absence of a disclosure statement. 
Entities choosing not to disclose that foods are or may be 
bioengineered may need additional records if existing records are not 
sufficient to substantiate non-disclosure.
a. Non-Disclosure of Foods on Either List
    As set forth in proposed Sec.  66.302(b), AMS proposes that 
regulated entities who offer for retail sale foods on either list of 
commercially available BE foods,

[[Page 19878]]

but do not disclose that the products are BE foods or contain 
bioengineered food ingredients, would be required to maintain 
documentation that verify the foods are not bioengineered. Such 
documentation might include supply chain documents, purchase orders, 
sales confirmations, bills of lading, supplier attestations, purchase 
receipts, written records, labels, contracts, brokers' statements, 
analytical testing results, or process certifications.
    AMS believes these types of records are regularly kept and 
maintained by food manufacturers, importers or food retailers. Thus, we 
expect that documentation normally maintained showing that a crop, 
ingredient, or finished food product is not a bioengineered food would 
satisfy the standard's recordkeeping requirements. For example, a food 
manufacturer uses soy sauce as an ingredient in barbecue sauce. Soy 
sauce is produced from soybeans, a proposed highly adopted BE food in 
the United States. The default assumption would be that the food is 
bioengineered or contains a BE food ingredient and must include a BE 
food disclosure on the label. However, in this case, the manufacturer 
has sourced soy sauce produced from non-BE soybeans. Therefore, the 
food manufacturer would not make a BE disclosure, but would be required 
to maintain documented verification, such as a contract with its 
supplier that shows it ordered finished products that are not 
bioengineered. These records may be subject to USDA audit as provided 
in Sec.  66.402. (See Enforcement section, below.)
    Foods or ingredients not included on either list of commercially 
available BE foods would not be subject to the disclosure standard. 
Records required to demonstrate that such foods are not BE would 
consist simply of an indication of the food type (e.g., peaches).
b. Disclosure of Foods on Either List
    AMS proposes that entities making affirmative disclosures for BE 
food on either list of BE foods would only need to maintain records to 
show that their product contains a food or food ingredient on one of 
the BE food lists. For instance, a food manufacturer uses cornmeal, a 
food made from field corn, which is a high adoption rate food, in a 
muffin mix and includes a BE food disclosure on the label. The food 
manufacturer would not need records to show that the corn was 
bioengineered, as it would be on the high adoption rate list; that 
manufacturer would only need to maintain a record that shows that the 
food contained cornmeal.
    As described in the Disclosure section above, ``may'' disclosure 
statements could be used for any foods that are on the list of 
commercially available, but not highly adopted, BE foods. Recordkeeping 
to substantiate a ``may'' claim would only need to demonstrate that the 
food is on the list. Such a disclosure might be preferred by entities 
whose sources vary throughout the year and who may procure both BE and 
non-BE foods. Rather than switching labels to reflect which type of 
food or ingredient is used, which could create additional costs, 
entities could use one label--the ``may'' option--to cover either 
possibility. As such, recordkeeping requirements would not change--
records maintained would only need to demonstrate that that particular 
food is on the list. The intent of this recordkeeping provision is to 
give regulated entities some degree of flexibility and to acknowledge 
the complexities of the food supply chain.
3. Other Recordkeeping Provisions
    As set forth in proposed Sec.  66.302(a)(3), records would have to 
be maintained for at least two years after the food's distribution for 
retail sale. Commenters suggested a range of record retention periods, 
from as short as 12 months to as long as indefinitely. But many 
commenters stated that two years would be a reasonable amount of time 
to maintain records, given product inventories and expected shelf 
lives. It should be noted that records related to detectability 
testing, as described in section II.C.3.b. above and if adopted, may 
need to be retained longer than other records in order to provide 
ongoing evidence that foods manufactured under a particular process do 
not have detectable modified genetic material. Such records would be 
valid and should be retained for as long as the processor makes no 
changes to the process. Commenters almost unanimously agreed that 
records could be electronic or hard copy, as preferred by individual 
companies, and that records could be stored at any location, as long as 
they were readily accessible. Finally, some commenters recommended that 
no new records or forms be developed or required under the proposed 
standard.
    Proposed Sec.  66.304 sets forth the provisions for AMS' access to 
records. A few commenters suggested that regulated entities be required 
to produce records on demand, while others recommended that regulated 
entities be given as much as 45 days to produce records. But some 
commenters thought one or two weeks' notice would be adequate and in 
keeping with the nature and scope of the proposed standard. Under 
proposed Sec.  66.304(a), entities would have five business days to 
provide records to AMS upon request, unless AMS extends the deadline. 
Under proposed Sec.  66.304(b), if AMS needs to access the records at 
the entity's place of business, AMS would provide prior notice of at 
least three days. AMS would examine the records during normal business 
hours, and entities would make such records available during those 
times. AMS would review the records during audits and examinations, as 
appropriate, to verify compliance with the standard's disclosure 
requirements. Proprietary business information, including product 
formulations and recipes, would be kept confidential by USDA, 
consistent with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552 et seq. 
Under proposed Sec.  66.304(c), if an entity fails to provide AMS 
access to records, AMS would determine that the entity did not comply 
with the access requirement and that AMS could not confirm whether the 
entity is in compliance with the disclosure standard. This 
determination would be made public, as described in the Enforcement 
section below.
Request for Comments on Recordkeeping Provisions
    AMS seeks comments on several aspects of the proposed recordkeeping 
requirements of the NBFDS, including:
    (1) The types of customary and reasonable records kept by the 
various entities proposed to be regulated under this standard, and the 
costs associated with maintaining such records;
    (2) Whether regulated entities should be required to verify the BE 
status of foods that bear the ``bioengineered'' or ``contains a 
bioengineered ingredient'' disclosure for foods on that list, through 
more than just a record showing that a particular food or ingredient is 
on the list;
    (3) Whether regulated entities that choose to disclose the BE 
status of foods through any of the disclosure options should be 
required to maintain records regarding whether inputs are BE or not.
    (4) Whether the lists should be consolidated into one list of 
commercially available foods and the ``may'' disclosure be made 
available for all BE foods. With consolidation of the list, entities 
labeling foods on the BE list would not be required to maintain records 
as long as they display any of the disclosure options. AMS seeks 
comment on the potential impact and any burdens associated with 
consolidating the lists into one list of commercially available BE 
foods;
    (5) The proposed timelines for providing records if requested by 
AMS

[[Page 19879]]

for review during an audit or investigation; and
    (6) The types of recordkeeping policies that could further reduce 
costs for affected entities and what the cost estimates would be for 
such policies.

B. Enforcement

    The amended Act specifies that failure to make a BE food disclosure 
as required by the NBFDS is prohibited. See 7 U.S.C. 1639b(g)(1). 
Proposed Sec.  66.400 would capture this prohibition. AMS' enforcement 
authority is limited under the amended Act, as it authorizes AMS to 
enforce compliance with the standard through records audits and 
examinations, hearings, and public disclosure of the results of audits, 
examinations, and hearings. See 7 U.S.C. 1639b(g)(3). Moreover, the 
amended Act expressly states that the Secretary shall have no authority 
to recall any food subject to the NBFDS ``on the basis of whether the 
food bears a disclosure that the food is bioengineered.'' 7 U.S.C. 
1639b(g)(4).
    AMS received input about the compliance and enforcement aspects of 
the proposed standard from numerous stakeholders. Most stakeholders 
supported establishing compliance and enforcement procedures similar to 
those under other AMS marketing programs. They suggested AMS take 
action in response to specific complaints about possible violations of 
the standard. Stakeholders indicated that AMS should notify entities 
about records audits and provide opportunities for regulated entities 
to appeal AMS findings and make corrections before posting results of 
compliance investigations online.
    Other stakeholders advocated use of more aggressive measures, such 
as conducting unannounced audits of regulated entities' records or 
imposing steep fines for non-compliance with the disclosure standard. 
The amended Act does not authorize civil penalties for violations, and 
AMS believes the other suggestions to be impractical. Therefore, the 
proposed rule does not include those suggestions.
    The amended Act authorizes AMS to conduct audits or examinations of 
records. Proposed Sec.  66.402 describes the process for receiving and 
reviewing complaints about possible violations of the disclosure 
standard and sets forth the audit procedure. Any interested person can 
file a written statement or complaint with the Administrator. If the 
Administrator determines that further investigation of a complaint is 
warranted, an audit or examination may be made of the entity 
responsible for the BE food disclosure. After completing the audit or 
examination of the records, AMS would make its findings available to 
the entity that was audited. The entity would then have an opportunity 
to object to the findings and to request a hearing within 30 days of 
receiving the results of the audit or examination. As part of the 
request for a hearing, the entity would be required to file its 
objections to the findings and explain the basis of its objections. 
Under proposed Sec.  66.404, the Administrator or designee would 
conduct the hearing, which may include an oral presentation. The 
Administrator or designee would be able to affirm or revise the 
findings of the audit or examination of records. After the conclusion 
of the hearing, or after 30 days from the entity's receipt of the 
finding, if the entity does not request a hearing, AMS would make 
public a summary of the results, including findings, of the audit or 
examination under proposed Sec.  66.406. The decision to make this 
summary public would constitute final agency action for purposes of 
judicial review.

C. Proposed Effective and Initial Compliance Dates

    We intend that any final rule resulting from this rulemaking would 
become effective 60 days after the date of the final rule's publication 
in the Federal Register, with a compliance date of January 1, 2020, and 
with a delayed compliance date of January 1, 2021, for small food 
manufacturers. The proposed compliance date of January 1, 2020, is 
intended to align with FDA's proposed rule to extend the compliance 
dates for the changes to the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts label 
final rule and the Serving Size final rule from July 26, 2018, to 
January 1, 2020, for manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual 
food sales. See 81 FR 33741, 82 FR 45753. We recognize that it may take 
entities time to analyze products for which there may be new mandatory 
requirements under the NBFDS, make required changes to their labels, 
review and update their records, and print new labels. The proposed 
compliance dates are intended to provide a balance between the time 
industry will need to come into compliance with the new labeling 
requirements and the need for consumers to have the information in a 
timely manner. We invite comment on the proposed compliance dates.

D. Use of Existing Label Inventories

    In an effort to reduce costs and burdens, AMS believes that 
regulated entities using food labels should have an opportunity to use 
up their current foods labels for a period of time. Therefore, AMS is 
proposing that regulated entities may use labels printed by the initial 
compliance date, regardless of whether they comply with the NBFDS, 
until the regulated entity uses up remaining label inventories, or 
until January 1, 2022, whichever date comes first. AMS is not proposing 
to require regulated entities to change the labels of food products 
that have entered the stream of commerce prior to January 1, 2022. For 
example, if a food manufacturer used the last of its existing labels on 
December 1, 2021, and the product entered the stream of commerce the 
following week, the food manufacturer would not have to change the 
labels on the food products if those products remain on the store shelf 
after January 1, 2022. We invite comment on this approach.

V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501-3520), AMS is requesting OMB approval for a new information 
collection totaling 11,163,755 hours for the reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements contained in this proposed rule. Below, AMS 
has described and estimated the annual burden, i.e., the amount of time 
and cost of labor, for entities to prepare and maintain information to 
participate in this proposed labeling program. The amended Act provides 
authority for this action.
    Title: National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standards for 
Manufacturers and Other Entities that Label Food for Retail Sale.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: To be assigned by OMB.
    Type of Request: Intent to establish a new information collection.
    Abstract: The information collection requirements in this request 
are essential to foster documentation supporting information disclosure 
for consumer assurance, and to administer the amendment to the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.
    The amended Act requires the Secretary to establish the NBFDS. AMS 
is the agency that would develop the new rule for manufacturers, 
importers, and retailers to ensure that bioengineered food bears a 
bioengineered food disclosure in accordance with the rule.
    Entities subject to the mandatory disclosure requirement would be 
required to retain records that are customarily generated in the course 
of business. Such records may include, but would not be limited to, 
supply chain documents, purchase orders, sales confirmations, bills of 
lading, purchase

[[Page 19880]]

receipts, written records, labels, contracts, brokers' statements, 
analytical testing results, and process certifications that would 
substantiate claims about a food's bioengineering status. Records may 
also include others that are preexisting and readily available, such as 
identity preservation records, organic certification records, genetic 
marker testing records, and records related to product labels and food 
product formulations. Each entity subject to the disclosure requirement 
would decide for itself what records and records management protocol 
are appropriate, given the scope and complexity of the individual 
business, as well as the food being produced.
    Enforcement would include AMS reviewing existing ingredient records 
and calculations, as needed, to verify compliance with the proposed 
standard. Records would have to be maintained in hardcopy or electronic 
format for at least two years after the food's distribution for retail 
sale. Entities would have five business days to provide records to AMS 
upon request, unless AMS extends the deadline. AMS would be required to 
provide prior notice of at least three days for onsite access to 
records.
    The information collected would be used only by authorized 
representatives of USDA, including AMS, and would be maintained 
confidential to prevent inadvertent release of company information.
Cost of Compliance
    AMS expects each entity (respondents) would need to submit and 
maintain information in order to satisfy the requirement of the 
proposed NBFDS regulation. AMS expects respondents to modify packaging 
for products that have been found to need disclosure. After this one-
time burden, a recurring paperwork burden is expected to demonstrate 
compliance with the NBFDS regulation. For both one-time and annual 
burden, we describe the general evaluation and recordkeeping activities 
and estimate: (1) The hours spent, per response, completing the 
paperwork requirements of this labeling program; (2) the number of 
respondents; (3) the estimated number of responses per respondent; and 
(4) the total annual burden on respondents. This information is 
multiplied by the average wage to calculate the labor costs of 
implementing the labeling program.
1. One-Time Paperwork Costs
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 166,975.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 41.0
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,845,975 hours.
    AMS estimates the annual initial cost per respondent will be 
$1,384.57 per year. This estimate is based on an estimated 41.0 labor 
hours per year at $33.77 per hour. The source of the hourly rate is the 
National Compensation Survey: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 
2016, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate is the mean 
hourly wage for compliance officers. The cost of the estimated total 
annual burden on respondents is expected to be $231.2 million. This 
calculation is the number of estimated burden hours times the hourly 
rate.
2. Annual Recordkeeping Costs
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 239,913.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.7
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,127,591 hours.
    AMS estimates the annual recordkeeping cost per respondent will be 
$158.72 per year. This estimate is based on an hourly rate of $33.77 
per hour. The source of the hourly rate is the National Compensation 
Survey: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2016, published by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate is the mean hourly wage for 
compliance officers. The cost of the estimated total annual burden on 
respondents is expected to be $38.1 million. This calculation is the 
number of estimated burden hours times the hourly rate.
    Comments: AMS is inviting comments from all interested parties 
concerning the information collection and recordkeeping required as a 
result of the proposed amendments to 7 CFR part 66. Comments are 
invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments that specifically pertain to the information collection 
and recordkeeping requirements of this action should be sent to the 
Docket Clerk, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 0264, Washington, DC 
20250-0268 and to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Room 725, 
Washington, DC 20503. Comments on the information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements should reference the date and page number of 
this issue of the Federal Register. All responses to this notice will 
be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record. The comment period for 
the information collection and recordkeeping requirements contained in 
this proposed rule is 60 days.
E-Gov
    USDA is committed to complying with the E-Government Act by 
promoting the use of the internet and other information technologies to 
provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government 
information and services, and for other purposes.
Civil Rights Review
    AMS has considered the potential civil rights implications of this 
rule on minorities, women, or persons with disabilities to ensure that 
no person or group shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual 
orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental 
status, or protected genetic information. This review included persons 
that are employees of the entities that are subject to these 
regulations. This proposed rule does not require affected entities to 
relocate or alter their operations in ways that could adversely affect 
such persons or groups. Further, this proposed rule would not deny any 
persons or groups the benefits of the program or subject any persons or 
groups to discrimination.
    A 60-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to 
respond to this proposed rule. All written comments received in 
response to this proposed rule by the date specified will be 
considered.

[[Page 19881]]

C. Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771
    USDA is issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Orders 
12866 and 13563, which direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits 
of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, 
to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits, which 
include potential economic, environmental, public health and safety 
effects, distributive impacts, and equity. Executive Order 13563 
emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility.
    USDA estimates that the costs of the proposed NBFDS would range 
from $598 million to $3.5 billion for the first year, with ongoing 
annual costs of between $114 million and $225 million. The annualized 
costs in perpetuity would be $132 million to $330 million at a three 
percent discount rate and $156 million to $471 million at a seven 
percent discount rate. These results assume that the final rule 
includes a provision for the use of existing label inventories that 
extends to January 1, 2022; without such a provision, the total 
annualized cost are $164 million to $410 million and $236 million to 
$559 million at discount rates of three and seven percent respectively.
    These cost estimates represent the cost of the proposed standard 
relative to a baseline in which there are no requirements for the 
labeling of food containing bioengineered foods or ingredients. This 
estimate encompasses three options for the definition of very small 
food manufacturers: Less than $2,500,000 annual receipts (proposed 
definition); less than $500,000 annual receipts (alternative A); and 
less than $5,000,000 annual receipts (alternative B). Very small food 
manufacturers are exempted from the NBFDS, and the NBFDS utilizes the 
definition of small food manufacturers to mean any food manufacturer 
with less than $10 million in annual receipts but $2,500,000 or more in 
annual receipts. Small food manufacturers have an extra year for 
compliance. This cost estimate also includes three thresholds for 
separation costs: Not more than 5 percent of a specific ingredient by 
weight and only inadvertent introduction allowed; not more than 0.9 
percent (0.9%) of a specific ingredient by weight and only inadvertent 
introduction allowed; and, a threshold of less than 5 percent of total 
additive weight. This estimate includes costs of disclosure for highly 
refined foods (such as oils and sugars) with no detectable rDNA. This 
estimate excludes the costs of disclosure for incidental additives.
    The proposed NBFDS is not expected to have any benefits to human 
health or the environment. Any benefits to consumers from the provision 
of reliable information about BE food products are difficult to 
measure. Under some, but not all, potentially informative analytic 
baselines (see the accompanying regulatory impact analysis for this 
proposed rule), a more clear-cut benefit of the NBFDS is that it 
eliminates costly inefficiencies of a state-level approach to BE 
disclosure. We estimate the size of these benefits by focusing on 
Vermont's BE labeling law because that law had been signed into law 
before the NBFDS was passed. The avoided costs of the Vermont law are a 
direct benefit of the NBFDS. We estimate that the total cost of the 
Vermont BE labeling law would have been between $2 billion and $6.9 
billion for the first year with ongoing cost similar to the NBFDS. The 
annualized benefits from replacing the Vermont BE labeling law would be 
between $126 million and $333 million at a three percent discount rate 
and between $190 million and $565 million at a seven percent discount 
rate.
    In addition to the pre-statutory (baselines 2a, 2b and 3) and 
simplistic post-statutory (baseline 1) baselines discussed in greater 
detail in the accompanying regulatory impact analysis for this proposed 
rule, a more nuanced post-statutory baseline would reflect the least 
costly rule that would comply with the requirements of the NBFDS; this 
is because the issuance of a federal regulation is necessary for 
preemption of state-level labeling requirements to be maintained in the 
long-run. Inefficiency-avoidance benefits would be zero under this 
analytic approach, but the costs could be lower than under the 
simplistic post-statute baseline (and lower than the costs summarized 
throughout most of this RIA). The use of this baseline would also be 
consistent with OMB' Regulatory Impact Analysis guidelines (Circular A-
4), which states that, while agencies should generally use a pre-
statute baseline, a post-statute baseline allows agencies to ``evaluate 
those areas where the agency has discretion.'' This action's 
designation under E.O. 13771 will be informed by comments received in 
response to this proposed rule. Details on the estimates of costs and 
cost savings of this rule can be found in the economic analysis in the 
accompanying regulatory impact analysis.
    This rule meets the definition of an economically significant 
regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, as it is likely to 
result in a rule that would have an annual effect on the economy of 
$100 million or more, and thereby triggers the requirements contained 
in Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled ``Interim 
Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 
2017, titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs' '' 
(February 2, 2017).
    This proposed rule has been reviewed by OMB. USDA seeks comments 
and data on the estimated impacts of this rulemaking that may affect 
its designation under Executive Order 12866 and the Congressional 
Review Act. USDA also requests public comment on the estimated impacts 
of the rule, specifically whether there is information or data that may 
inform whether or not the market will experience a decrease in BE 
products/ingredients and what the impacts of the disclosure standard 
are on consumer choice and purchasing behaviors. In addition, USDA 
seeks comments and request any data or information on what impacts the 
disclosure standard may have on current and future innovation in the 
areas of crop biotechnology and food manufacturing and how such impacts 
on innovation may affect rural communities.
    Regulations must be designed in the most cost-effective manner 
possible to obtain the regulatory objective while imposing the least 
burden on society. This proposed rule would establish a national 
mandatory bioengineered food disclosure and labeling provisions for 
certain human foods that are bioengineered or contain bioengineered 
ingredients. The national standard is necessary to replace similar laws 
enacted by various states, which were superseded by the amended Act. 
The rule is intended to meet public demand for consistent label 
information.

D. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

1. Introduction
    We have examined the economic implications of this proposed rule as 
required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). If a 
rule has significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze 
regulatory options that would lessen the economic effect of the rule on 
small entities consistent with statutory objectives. We have 
tentatively concluded that the proposed rule, if finalized, will have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

[[Page 19882]]

2. Economic Effects on Small Entities
a. Number of Small Entities Affected
    Guidance on rulemaking recommends SBA's definition of small 
business as it applies to the relevant economic sector, which for this 
rule are NAICS 311, 312, and 325, with indirect effects on sectors 115, 
424, 445 and 446. SBA recently revised the definition for small 
businesses, as shown in Table 2. This table also provides the number of 
firms classified as small and large business for each 6-digit NAICS 
expected to be impacted by the rule--164,329, or 98 percent of 166,975 
total firms. With the new SBA definitions of small business, the share 
of manufacturers now classified as small is 96 percent (26,213 out of 
27,176 total manufacturing firms).

                                       Table 2--Number of Small Firms Directly Affected by Proposed Rule by NAICS
                                                          [Data from the 2012 economic census]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Number of firms                  Percentage of
                                                                                         ------------------------------------------------    industry
       2012 NAICS code           Meaning of 2012 NAICS code        SBA size standard                                                        defined as
                                                                                               Total           Large           Small         small (%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
311211.......................  Flour milling.................  1,000 Employees..........             165              13             152            92.1
311212.......................  Rice milling..................  500 Employees............              50               9              41            82.0
311213.......................  Malt manufacturing............  500 Employees............              19               2              17            89.5
311221.......................  Wet corn milling..............  1,250 Employees..........              31               6              25            80.6
311224.......................  Soybean and other oilseed       1,000 Employees..........              84              14              70            83.3
                                processing.
311225.......................  Fats and oils refining and      1,000 Employees..........              90              14              76            84.4
                                blending.
311230.......................  Breakfast cereal manufacturing  1,000 Employees..........              37               9              28            75.7
311313.......................  Beet sugar manufacturing......  750 Employees............              15               6               9            60.0
311314.......................  Cane sugar manufacturing *....  1,000 Employees..........              35               4              31            88.6
311340.......................  Nonchocolate confectionery      1,000 Employees..........             426              16             410            96.2
                                manufacturing.
311351.......................  Chocolate and confectionery     1,250 Employees..........             161               7             154            95.7
                                manufacturing from cacao
                                beans.
311352.......................  Confectionery manufacturing     1,000 Employees..........           1,110              13           1,097            98.8
                                from purchased chocolate.
311411.......................  Frozen fruit, juice, and        1,000 Employees..........             148              16             132            89.2
                                vegetable manufacturing.
311412.......................  Frozen specialty food           1,250 Employees..........             389              29             360            92.5
                                manufacturing.
311421.......................  Fruit and vegetable canning...  1,000 Employees..........             575              28             547            95.1
311422.......................  Specialty canning.............  1,250 Employees..........             106               6             100            94.3
311423.......................  Dried and dehydrated food       750 Employees............             167              17             150            89.8
                                manufacturing.
311511.......................  Fluid milk manufacturing *....  1,000 Employees..........             246              33             213            86.6
311512.......................  Creamery butter manufacturing.  750 Employees............              30               5              25            83.3
311513.......................  Cheese manufacturing..........  1,250 Employees..........             390              14             376            96.4
311514.......................  Dry, condensed, and evaporated  750 Employees............             133              27             106            79.7
                                dairy product manufacturing.
311520.......................  Ice cream and frozen dessert    1,000 Employees..........             347              19             328            94.5
                                manufacturing.
311612.......................  Meat processed from carcasses   1,000 Employees..........           1,202              33           1,169            97.3
                                *.
311615.......................  Poultry processing *..........  1,250 Employees..........             307              31             276            89.9
311710.......................  Seafood product preparation     750 Employees............             497              15             482            97.0
                                and packaging.
311811.......................  Retail bakeries...............  500 Employees............           6,423              17           6,406            99.7
311812.......................  Commercial bakeries...........  1,000 Employees..........           2,321              58           2,263            97.5
311813.......................  Frozen cakes, pies, and other   750 Employees............             205              21             184            89.8
                                pastries manufacturing.
311821.......................  Cookie and cracker              1,250 Employees..........             309              16             293            94.8
                                manufacturing.
311824.......................  Dry pasta, dough, and flour     750 Employees............             375              27             348            92.8
                                mixes manufacturing from
                                purchased flour.
311830.......................  Tortilla manufacturing........  1,250 Employees..........             334               5             329            98.5
311911.......................  Roasted nuts and peanut butter  750 Employees............             208              15             193            92.8
                                manufacturing.
311919.......................  Other snack food manufacturing  1,250 Employees..........             307              12             295            96.1
311920.......................  Coffee and tea manufacturing *  750 Employees............             410              14             396            96.6
311930.......................  Flavoring syrup and             1,000 Employees..........             138               9             129            93.5
                                concentrate manufacturing.
311941.......................  Mayonnaise, dressing, and       750 Employees............             303              18             285            94.1
                                other prepared sauce
                                manufacturing.
311942.......................  Spice and extract               500 Employees............             344              28             316            91.9
                                manufacturing.
311991.......................  Perishable prepared food        500 Employees............             640              40             600            93.8
                                manufacturing.
311999.......................  All other miscellaneous food    500 Employees............             567              35             532            93.8
                                manufacturing.
312111.......................  Soft drink manufacturing......  1,250 Employees..........             244              21             223            91.4
312112.......................  Bottled water manufacturing *.  1,000 Employees..........             219              10             209            95.4
312113.......................  Ice manufacturing *...........  750 Employees............             310               5             305            98.4

[[Page 19883]]

 
312120.......................  Breweries.....................  1,250 Employees..........             843               4             839            99.5
312130.......................  Wineries......................  1,000 Employees..........           2,519              12           2,507            99.5
312140.......................  Distilleries..................  1,000 Employees..........             231               3             228            98.7
325411.......................  Medicinal and botanical         1,000 Employees..........             394              24             370            93.9
                                manufacturing.
445110.......................  Supermarkets and other grocery  $32.5 Million............          42,107             702          41,405            98.3
                                (except convenience) stores.
445120.......................  Convenience stores............  $29.5 Million............          23,086              39          23,047            99.8
445210.......................  Meat markets..................  $7.5 Million.............           4,880              27           4,853            99.4
445220.......................  Fish and seafood markets......  $7.5 Million.............           1,929              20           1,909            99.0
445230.......................  Fruit and vegetable markets...  $7.5 Million.............           2,716              42           2,674            98.5
445291.......................  Baked goods stores............  $7.5 Million.............           2,470              18           2,452            99.3
445292.......................  Confectionery and nut stores..  $7.5 Million.............           1,952              30           1,922            98.5
445299.......................  All other specialty food        $7.5 Million.............           4,018              27           3,991            99.3
                                stores.
445310.......................  Beer, wine, and liquor stores.  $7.5 Million.............          28,386             392          27,994            98.6
446110.......................  Pharmacies and drug stores....  $27.5 Million............          18,852             306          18,546            98.4
446191.......................  Food (health) supplement        $15 Million..............           4,786               7           4,779            99.9
                                stores.
446199.......................  Other health and personal care  $7.5 Million.............           7,389             270           7,119            96.3
                                stores.
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  ..............................  .........................         166,975           2,646         164,329            98.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These products denote those sectors of the industry that, based on the proposal, are less likely to be required to disclose pursuant to the NBFDS.

3. Definitions
a. Small Business
    The definition of small business for the Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis are those codified in 13 CFR 121.201.
b. Delay for Small Food Manufacturers
    For the purposes of the implementation of the delay for ``small 
food manufacturers,'' AMS proposes that USDA adopt a definition of 
small food manufacturer that would align with FDA. AMS has attempted to 
be as consistent as possible with other similar existing regulations in 
order to minimize the cost burden on the industry.
    The proposed definition of small food manufacturer is: ``any food 
manufacturer with less than $10 million in annual receipts but 
$2,500,000 or more in annual receipts.'' This definition would be 
similar to FDA's criteria for allowing an extended compliance period in 
its recent revision requirements for food labeling (Docket numbers FDA-
2012-N-1210 and FDA-2004-N0258). FDA determined that 95 percent of food 
manufacturers would fall into this category, or roughly 32,345 firms. 
FDA also determined that 48 percent of the UPCs would be owned by the 
firms classified using this criteria as small businesses.
    The alternative definition analyzed is a business (including any 
subsidiaries and affiliates) with fewer than 500 employees.
b. Exemptions for Very Small Food Manufacturers
    AMS proposes to define very small food manufacturer as ``any food 
manufacturer with annual receipts of less than $2,500,000.'' We also 
analyzed the following scenarios for comparison:
    Alternative A: A food manufacturer with less than $500,000 in 
annual receipts.
    Alternative B: A food manufacturer with less than $5,000,000 in 
annual receipts.
    Currently, there are roughly 18,530 businesses that would fall into 
the very small category under the proposed definition; 11,170 
businesses that would fall into the very small category under 
Alternative A; and, 20,440 businesses that would fall into the very 
small category under Alternative B. This is out of an estimated 27,176 
total firms.
    Table 3, below, presents data showing the number of establishments 
by size classification according to the different definitions of very 
small, small, and large manufacturers. AMS is seeking comment on the 
proposed definitions.

                      Table 3--Number of Manufacturers for Alternative Size Classifications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Size Classification Options for Manufacturers                           Number of Firms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All manufacturing establishments................................                      27,176
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Very Small           Small           Large
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Firm Criteria:
    Firms with less than $10 million in annual food sales (FDA               N/A          23,029           4,147
     definition)................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 19884]]

 
                                          Very Small Firm Alternatives
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very small alternative A:
    Firms with less than $500,000 in annual receipts............          11,527          11,502           4,147
Very small alternative B:
    Firms with less than $5,000,000 in annual receipts..........          21,581           1,448           4,147
Very small proposed definition:
    Firms with less than $2,500,000 in annual receipts..........          19,455           3,574           4,147
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/A means no definition was determined for this size category.

c. Costs to Small Entities
    We compared the maximum annualized cost in our analysis of the 
proposed rule to the revenue of firms in each size category (by 
receipts) using 2012 Census data. There was no category that would not 
be excluded under any of the definitions of very small food 
manufacturer under consideration for which costs were greater than one 
percent of revenues.
Summary
    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 606(b)), we 
tentatively conclude that the proposed rules will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The 
statutory exemption of very small food manufacturers further reduces 
the impact on the entities that are likely to face the highest costs 
relative to revenue.

D. Executive Order 13175

    This rule has been reviewed in accordance with the requirements of 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments. Executive Order 13175 requires Federal agencies to consult 
and coordinate with tribes on a government-to-government basis on: (1) 
Policies that have tribal implications, including regulations, 
legislative comments or proposed legislation; and (2) other policy 
statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or 
more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian tribes or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
    The Agricultural Marketing Service has assessed the impact of this 
rule on Indian tribes and determined that this rule may, to our 
knowledge, have tribal implications that require tribal consultation 
under E.O. 13175. AMS invites Tribal Leaders to consult on the tribal 
implications of this proposed rule, and AMS will work with the Office 
of Tribal Relations to ensure meaningful consultation is provided where 
changes, additions, and modifications identified herein are not 
expressly mandated by Congress.

E. Executive Order 12988

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform. The proposed rule is not intended to have 
retroactive effect. The amended Act specifies that no State or 
political subdivision of a State may directly or indirectly establish 
under any authority or continue in effect as to any food or seed in 
interstate commerce any requirement relating to the labeling or 
disclosure of whether a food is bioengineered or was developed or 
produced using bioengineering for a food subject to the proposed 
national bioengineered food disclosure standard that is not identical 
to the mandatory disclosure requirements under the proposed standard. 
With regard to other Federal statutes, all labeling claims made in 
conjunction with this regulation must be consistent with other 
applicable Federal requirements. There are no administrative procedures 
that must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the 
provisions of this rule.

F. Executive Order 13132

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism. Executive Order 13132 directs agencies to construe, in 
regulations and otherwise, a Federal statute to preempt State law only 
where the statute contains an express preemption provision or there is 
some other clear evidence to conclude that Congress intended preemption 
of State law, or where the exercise of State authority conflicts with 
the exercise of Federal authority under the Federal statute. The 
amended Act includes an express preemption of State law. Sections 
293(e) and 295(b) provide that no State may directly or indirectly 
establish or continue with any food or seed requirement relating to the 
labeling or disclosure of whether the food or seed is bioengineered or 
was developed or produced using bioengineering, including any 
requirement for claims that a food or seed is or contains an ingredient 
that was developed by or produced using bioengineering. After USDA 
establishes the NBFDS, States may adopt standards that are identical to 
the NBFDS, and States may impose remedies for violations of their 
standards, such as monetary damages and injunctive relief.
    With regard to consultation with States, as directed by Executive 
Order 13132, USDA notified the governors of each U.S. State of the 
amended Act's purpose and preemption provisions by letter in August 
2016. Copies of the letters may be viewed at https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/gmo.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 66

    Agricultural commodities, Bioengineering, Food labeling, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, USDA proposes to amend 7 CFR 
chapter 1 by adding part 66 to read as follows:

PART 66--NATIONAL BIOENGINEERED FOOD DISCLOSURE STANDARD

Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
66.1 Definitions.
66.3 Disclosure requirement and applicability.
66.5 Exemptions.
66.7 Process for revision of lists.
Subpart B--Bioengineered Food Disclosure
66.100 General.
66.102 Text disclosure.
66.104 Symbol disclosure.
66.106 Electronic or digital link disclosure.
66.108 Text message disclosure.
66.110 Small food manufacturers.
66.112 Small and very small packages.
66.114 Foods sold in bulk containers.
66.116 Voluntary disclosure.
66.118 Other claims.
66.120 Use of existing label inventories.
Subpart C--Other Factors and Conditions for Bioengineered Food
66.200 Request or petition for determination.
66.202 Standards for determination.
66.204 Submission of request or petition.

[[Page 19885]]

Subpart D--Recordkeeping
66.300 Scope.
66.302 Recordkeeping requirements.
66.304 Access to records.
Subpart E--Enforcement
66.400 Prohibited act.
66.402 Audit or examination of records.
66.404 Hearing.
66.406 Summary of results.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  66.1   Definitions.

    Act means the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et 
seq.), as amended to include Subtitle E--National Bioengineered Food 
Disclosure Standard and Subtitle F--Labeling of Certain Food.
    Administrator means the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing 
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, or the representative 
to whom authority has been delegated to act in the stead of the 
Administrator.
    AMS means the Agricultural Marketing Service of the United States 
Department of Agriculture.
    Bioengineered food means--
    (1) Subject to the factors, conditions, and limitations in 
paragraph (2) of this definition, a food that contains genetic material 
that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic 
acid (DNA) techniques and for which the modification could not 
otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.
    (2) A food that meets the following factors and conditions is not a 
bioengineered food.
    (i) An incidental additive present in food at an insignificant 
level and that does not have any technical or functional effect in the 
food, as described in 21 CFR 101.100(a)(3) or any successor regulation.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    Bioengineered substance means matter that contains genetic material 
that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic 
acid (DNA) techniques and for which the modification could not 
otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.
    Compliance date means--
    (1) Initial compliance date. (i) Except for small food 
manufacturers, entities responsible for bioengineered food disclosure 
must comply with the requirements of this part by January 1, 2020.
    (ii) Small food manufacturers must comply with the requirements of 
this part by January 1, 2021.
    (2) Updates to the bioengineered food lists. When AMS updates the 
list of commercially available bioengineered foods not highly adopted 
and/or the list of commercially available bioengineered foods with a 
high adoption rate pursuant to Sec.  66.7, entities responsible for 
bioengineered food disclosure must comply with the updates no later 
than six months after the effective date of the update.
    Food means a food (as defined in section 201 of the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321)) that is intended for human 
consumption.
    Food manufacturer means an entity that manufactures, processes, or 
packs human food and labels the food or food product for U.S. retail 
sale.
    Importer means the importer of record, as determined by U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection (19 U.S.C. 1484(a)(2)(B)), who engages in 
the importation of food or food products labeled for retail sale into 
the United States.
    Information panel means that part of the label of a packaged 
product that is immediately contiguous to and to the right of the 
principal display panel as observed by an individual facing the 
principal display panel, unless another section of the label is 
designated as the information panel because of package size or other 
package attributes (e.g. irregular shape with one usable surface).
    Label means a display of written, printed, or graphic matter upon 
the immediate container or outside wrapper of any retail package or 
article that is easily legible on or through the outside container or 
wrapper.
    Labeling means all labels and other written, printed, or graphic 
matter:
    (1) Upon any article or any of its containers or wrappers; or
    (2) Accompanying such article.
    List of commercially available bioengineered foods not highly 
adopted means a list, maintained by AMS, of commercially available 
bioengineered foods with an adoption rate of less than eighty-five 
percent (85%) in the United States, as determined by the Economic 
Research Service or any successor agency.
    List of commercially available bioengineered foods with a high 
adoption rate means a list, maintained by AMS, of commercially 
available bioengineered foods with an adoption rate of eighty-five 
percent (85%) or more in the United States, as determined by the 
Economic Research Service or any successor agency.
    Marketing and promotional information means any written, printed, 
audiovisual, or graphic information, including advertising, pamphlets, 
flyers, catalogues, posters, and signs that are distributed, broadcast, 
or made available to assist in the sale or promotion of a product.
    Predominance means an ingredient's position in the ingredient list 
on a product's label. Predominant ingredients are those most abundant 
by weight in the product, as required under 21 CFR 101.4(a)(1).
    Principal display panel means that part of a label that is most 
likely to be displayed, presented, shown, or examined under customary 
conditions of display for retail sale.
    Processed food means any food other than a raw agricultural 
commodity, and includes any raw agricultural commodity that has been 
subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, 
or milling.
    Raw agricultural commodity means any agricultural commodity in its 
raw or natural state, including all fruits that are washed, colored, or 
otherwise treated in their unpeeled natural form prior to marketing.
    Secretary means the United States Secretary of Agriculture or a 
representative to whom authority has been delegated to act in the 
Secretary's stead.
    Similar retail food establishment means a cafeteria, lunch room, 
food stand, saloon, tavern, bar, lounge, other similar establishment 
operated as an enterprise engaged in the business of selling prepared 
food to the public, or salad bars, delicatessens, and other food 
enterprises located within retail establishments that provide ready-to-
eat foods that are consumed either on or outside of the retailer's 
premises.
    Small food manufacturer means any food manufacturer with less than 
$10 million in annual receipts but $2,500,000 or more in annual 
receipts.
    Small package means food packages that have a total surface area of 
less than 40 square inches.
    Very small food manufacturer means any food manufacturer with 
annual receipts of less than $2,500,000.
    Very small package means food packages that have a total surface 
area of less than 12 square inches.


Sec.  66.3   Disclosure requirement and applicability.

    (a) General. A label for a bioengineered food must bear a 
disclosure indicating that the food is a bioengineered food or contains 
a bioengineered food ingredient consistent with this part.
    (b) Application to food. This part applies only to a food subject 
to:
    (1) The labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (``FDCA''); or

[[Page 19886]]

    (2) The labeling requirements under the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Egg Products 
Inspection Act only if:
    (i) The most predominant ingredient of the food would independently 
be subject to the labeling requirements under the FDCA; or
    (ii) The most predominant ingredient of the food is broth, stock, 
water, or a similar solution and the second-most predominant ingredient 
of the food would independently be subject to the labeling requirements 
under the FDCA.


Sec.  66.5   Exemptions.

    This part shall not apply to the food and entities described in 
this section.
    (a) Food served in a restaurant or similar retail food 
establishment.
    (b) Very small food manufacturers.

Alternative 1-A (for paragraph (c))

    (c) Food in which an ingredient contains a bioengineered substance 
that is inadvertent or technically unavoidable, and accounts for no 
more than five percent (5%) by weight of the specific ingredient.

Alternative 1-B (for paragraph (c))

    (c) Food in which an ingredient contains a bioengineered substance 
that is inadvertent or technically unavoidable, and accounts for no 
more than nine-tenths percent (0.9%) by weight of the specific 
ingredient.

Alternative 1-C (for paragraph (c))

    (c) Food in which the ingredient or ingredients that contain a 
bioengineered substance account for no more than five percent (5%) of 
the total weight of the food in final form.
    (d) A food derived from an animal shall not be considered a 
bioengineered food solely because the animal consumed feed produced 
from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance.
    (e) Food certified organic under the National Organic Program.


Sec.  66.7   Process for revision of lists.

    Lists of bioengineered foods that are commercially available in the 
United States as identified by the Agricultural Marketing Service will 
be maintained as follows:
    (a) Current lists. Current lists will be published and maintained 
on AMS' website.
    (b) Updates to the lists. AMS will announce its intention to review 
and update the lists annually through notification in the Federal 
Register and on the AMS website.
    (1) Recommendations regarding additions to and subtractions from 
the list may be submitted within the timeframe and to the address(es) 
specified in the notification.
    (2) Recommendations should be accompanied by data and other 
information to support the recommended action.
    (3) AMS will post public recommendations, along with information 
about other revisions to the lists that the agency may be considering, 
including input based on consultation with the government agencies 
responsible for oversight of the products of biotechnology: USDA's 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Health and 
Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and appropriate 
members of the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation for 
Biotechnology or a similar successor, on its website. AMS will invite 
interested persons to submit comments and additional relevant 
information regarding the proposed changes during a specified 
timeframe.
    (4) Following its review of all relevant information provided, AMS 
will determine what revisions should be made to the lists and will 
publish the updated lists in the Federal Register and on the AMS 
website.
    (c) Compliance grace period. Regulated entities will have 18 months 
following the effective date of the updated lists to make any necessary 
changes to food labels in accordance with the disclosure requirements 
of this part.

Subpart B--Bioengineered Food Disclosure


Sec.  66.100   General.

    (a) Responsibility for disclosure. (1) For a food that is packaged 
prior to receipt by a retailer, the food manufacturer or importer is 
responsible for ensuring that the food label bears a bioengineered food 
disclosure in accordance with this part.
    (2) If a retailer packages a food or sells a food in bulk, that 
retailer is responsible for ensuring that the food bears a 
bioengineered food disclosure in accordance with this part.
    (b) Type of disclosure. If a food must bear a bioengineered food 
disclosure under this part, the disclosure must be in one of the forms 
described in this paragraph (b), except as provided for in Sec. Sec.  
66.110 and 66.112 of this subpart.
    (1) A text disclosure in accordance with Sec.  66.102.
    (2) A symbol disclosure in accordance with Sec.  66.104.
    (3) An electronic or digital link disclosure in accordance with 
Sec.  66.106.
    (4) A text message disclosure in accordance with Sec.  66.108.
    (c) Appearance of disclosure. The required disclosure must be of 
sufficient size and clarity to appear prominently and conspicuously on 
the label, making it likely to be read and understood by the buyer 
under ordinary shopping conditions.
    (d) Placement of the disclosure. Except as provided in Sec.  66.114 
for bulk food, the disclosure must be placed on the label in one of the 
manners described in this paragraph (d).
    (1) The disclosure is placed in the information panel directly 
adjacent to the statement identifying the name and location of the 
handler, distributor, packer, manufacturer, importer, or any statement 
disclosing similar information.
    (2) The disclosure is placed in the principal display panel.
    (3) The disclosure is placed in an alternate panel likely to be 
seen by a buyer under ordinary shopping conditions, if there is 
insufficient space to place the disclosure on the information panel or 
the principal display panel.
    (e) Uniform Resource Locator (URL). Except for disclosures made by 
small manufacturers and for disclosures on very small packages, a 
bioengineered food disclosure may not include an internet website URL 
that is not embedded in an electronic or digital link.


Sec.  66.102   Text disclosure.

    A text disclosure must bear the text as described in this section. 
A text disclosure may use a plural form if applicable, e.g. if a food 
product includes more than one bioengineered food, then ``bioengineered 
foods'' or ``bioengineered food ingredients'' may be used.
    (a) High adoption bioengineered foods. Unless records support non-
disclosure pursuant to Sec.  66.302(b), if a food (including any 
ingredient produced from such food) is on the list of bioengineered 
foods that are commercially available and highly adopted, the text 
disclosure must be one of the following, as applicable:
    (1) ``Bioengineered food'' for bioengineered food that is a raw 
agricultural commodity or processed food that contains only 
bioengineered food ingredients; or
    (2) ``Contains a bioengineered food ingredient'' for multi-
ingredient food that is not described in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, but contains one or more bioengineered food ingredients.
    (b) Non-high adoption bioengineered foods. Unless records support 
non-disclosure pursuant to Sec.  66.302(b), if a food (including any 
ingredient

[[Page 19887]]

produced from such food) is on the list of bioengineered foods that are 
commercially available, but not highly adopted, the text disclosure 
must be ``may be a bioengineered food,'' ``may contain a bioengineered 
food ingredient,'' ``bioengineered food,'' or ``contains a 
bioengineered food ingredient,'' as appropriate.
    (c) Predominant language in U.S. Food subject to disclosure that is 
distributed solely in a U.S. territory may be labeled with statements 
equivalent to those required in this part, using the predominant 
language used in that territory.


Sec.  66.104   Symbol disclosure.

    The symbol described in this section may be used to designate 
bioengineered food, food that contains a bioengineered food ingredient, 
a food that may be a bioengineered food, or a food that may contain a 
bioengineered food ingredient. The bioengineered food symbol must 
replicate the form and design of the example in Figure 1 to Sec.  
66.104:

Alternative 2-A

    (a) Using a circle with a green circumference, and the capital 
letters ``BE'' in white type located slightly below the center of the 
circle. The bottom portion of the circle contains an arch, filled in 
green to the bottom of the circle. Approximately halfway through the 
height of the circle is a second arch, filled in darker green to the 
top of the first arch. Beginning on the left side of the second arch is 
stem arching towards the center of the circle, ending in a four-pointed 
starburst above the space between the letters ``B'' and ``E.'' The stem 
contains two leaves originating on the upper side of the stem and 
pointing towards the top of the circle. In the background of the 
leaves, at the top of the circle and to the left of center, is 
approximately one-half of a circle filled in yellow. The remainder of 
the circle is filled in light blue.
    (b) The symbol may be printed in black and white.
    (c) Nothing can be added to or removed from the bioengineered food 
symbol design except as allowed in this part.

    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04MY18.003
    
Figure 1 to Sec.  666.104Alternative 2-B

    (a) Using a filled, green circle with the lower-case letters ``be'' 
in white type, slightly above the center of the circle. Just below the 
letters is an inverted, white arch, beginning just below the middle of 
the ``b'' and ending just below the middle of the ``e.'' The outside of 
the circle includes ten (10) triangular leaves spread equally around 
the perimeter of the circle. The leaves transition from light green at 
the top of the circle to yellow and orange on the sides, ending with 
dark orange leaves on the bottom of the circle.
    (b) The symbol may be printed in black and white.
    (c) Nothing can be added to or removed from the bioengineered food 
symbol design except as allowed in this part.

    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04MY18.004
    
Figure 1 to Sec.  66.104Alternative 2-C

    (a) Using a circle with a circumference made up of 12 separate, 
equally-spaced segments. The segments gradually transition from yellow 
at the top of the circle to dark orange at the bottom of the circle. 
The interior of the circle is a green background with the lowercase 
letters ``be'', in white type, located slightly above the center of the 
circle. Below the letters is an inverted, green arch, beginning below 
the center of the ``b'' and ending below the center of the ``e.'' 
Inside the middle of the ``b'' is a bifurcated leaf.
    (b) The symbol may be printed in black and white.
    (c) Nothing can be added to or removed from the bioengineered food 
symbol design except as allowed in this part.

    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04MY18.005
    
Sec.  66.106   Electronic or digital link disclosure.

    If a required bioengineered food disclosure is made through an 
electronic or digital link printed on the label, the disclosure must 
comply with the requirements described in this section.
    (a) Accompanying statement. (1) An electronic or digital disclosure 
must be accompanied by, and be placed directly above or below, this 
statement: ``Scan here for more food information'' or equivalent 
language that only reflects technological changes (e.g. ``Scan anywhere 
on package for more food information'' or ``Scan icon for more food 
information'').
    (2) The electronic or digital disclosure must also be accompanied 
by a telephone number that will provide the bioengineered food 
disclosure to the consumer, regardless of the time of day. The 
telephone number must be in close proximity to the digital link and the 
accompanying statement described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, 
must indicate that calling the telephone number will provide more food 
information, and must be accompanied by the following statement: ``Call 
for more food information.''
    (b) Product information page. When the electronic or digital link 
is accessed, the link must go directly to the product information page 
for display on the electronic or digital device. The product 
information page must comply with the requirements described in this 
paragraph (b).
    (1) The product information page must be the first screen to appear 
on an electronic or digital device after the link is accessed as 
directed.
    (2) The product information page must include a bioengineered food 
disclosure that is consistent with Sec.  66.102 or Sec.  66.104.
    (3) The product information page must exclude marketing and 
promotional material.
    (4) The electronic or digital link disclosure may not collect, 
analyze, or sell any personally identifiable information about 
consumers or the devices of consumers; however, if this information 
must be collected to carry out the purposes of this part, the 
information must be deleted immediately and not used for any other 
purpose.


Sec.  66.108  Text message disclosure.

    The entity responsible for the bioengineered food disclosure must 
not charge a person any fee to access the bioengineered food 
information through text message and must comply with the requirements 
described in this section.
    (a) The label must include this statement ``Text [number] for more 
food information.'' The number must be a number, including a short 
code, that is capable of sending an immediate response to the 
consumer's mobile device.
    (b) The only information in the response must be the bioengineered 
food disclosure described in Sec.  66.102.
    (c) The response must exclude marketing and promotional material.

[[Page 19888]]

    (d) A manufacturer who selects the text message option may not 
collect, analyze, or sell any personally identifiable information about 
consumers or the devices of consumers; however, if this information 
must be collected to carry out the purposes of this part, the 
information must be deleted as soon as possible and not be used for any 
other purpose.


Sec.  66.110  Small food manufacturers.

    A small food manufacturer may make the required bioengineered food 
disclosure using one of the bioengineered food disclosure options 
permitted under Sec. Sec.  66.102, 66.104, 66.106, and 66.108 of this 
subpart or described in this section.
    (a) The label bears the statement: ``Call for more food 
information,'' which accompanies a telephone number that will provide 
the bioengineered food disclosure to the consumer, regardless of the 
time of day. Disclosure via telephone number must include a 
bioengineered food disclosure that is consistent with Sec.  66.102 in 
audio form.
    (b) The label bears the statement: ``Visit [URL of the website] for 
more food information,'' which accompanies a website that meets the 
requirements of Sec.  66.106(b) of this subpart. Disclosure via website 
must include a bioengineered food disclosure that is consistent with 
Sec.  66.102 or Sec.  66.104 in written form.


Sec.  66.112  Small and very small packages.

    In addition to the disclosures described in this subpart, for food 
in small and very small packages, the required disclosure may be in the 
form described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section.
    (a) The label bears the electronic or digital disclosure described 
in Sec.  66.106, and replaces the statement and phone number required 
in Sec.  66.106(a) with the statement ``Scan for info.''
    (b) The label bears a number or short code as described in Sec.  
66.108(a), and replaces the statement with ``Text for info.''
    (c) The label bears a phone number as described in Sec.  66.110(a), 
and replaces the statement with ``Call for info.''
    (d) For very small packages, if the label includes a preexisting 
Uniform Resource Locator for a website or a telephone number that a 
consumer can use to obtain food information, that website or telephone 
number may also be used for the required bioengineered food disclosure, 
provided that the disclosure is consistent with Sec.  66.102 or Sec.  
66.104 in written or audio form, as applicable.


Sec.  66.114   Foods sold in bulk containers.

    (a) Bioengineered food sold in bulk containers, including a display 
at a fresh seafood counter, must use one of the disclosure options 
described in Sec.  66.102, Sec.  66.104, Sec.  66.106, or Sec.  66.108.
    (b) The disclosure must appear on signage or other materials (e.g., 
placard, sign, label, sticker, band, twist tie, or other similar 
format) that allows consumers to easily identify and understand the 
bioengineered status of the food.


Sec.  66.116   Voluntary disclosure.

    (a) Applicability and disclosure. Bioengineered foods that are not 
subject to mandatory disclosure under this part may be labeled in 
accordance with this section.
    (b) Type of disclosure. The disclosure must be in one or more of 
the forms described in this paragraph (b).
    (1) An on-package text disclosure, in accordance with Sec.  66.102.
    (2) The symbol disclosure, in accordance with Sec.  66.104.
    (3) An electronic or digital link disclosure, in accordance with 
Sec.  66.106.
    (4) A text message disclosure, in accordance with Sec.  66.108.
    (5) Appropriate small manufacturer and small and very small package 
disclosure options, in accordance with Sec. Sec.  66.110 and 66.112.
    (c) Appearance of disclosure. The disclosure should be of 
sufficient size and clarity to appear prominently and conspicuously on 
the label, making it likely to be read and understood by the buyer 
under ordinary shopping conditions.
    (d) Recordkeeping. Reasonable and customary records should be 
maintained to verify disclosures made under this section.


Sec.  66.118   Other claims.

    Nothing in this subpart will prohibit regulated entities from 
making other claims regarding bioengineered foods, provided that such 
claims are consistent with applicable federal law.


Sec.  66.120   Use of existing label inventories.

    Products that are manufactured, labeled, and entered into the 
stream of commerce prior to January 1, 2022, or until regulated 
entities use up remaining label inventories as of the initial 
compliance date, whichever date comes first, may be sold using their 
existing food labels.

Subpart C--Other Factors and Conditions for Bioengineered Food


Sec.  66.200   Request or petition for determination.

    (a) Any person may submit a request or petition for a determination 
by the Secretary regarding other factors and conditions under which a 
food is considered a bioengineered food. A request or petition must be 
submitted in accordance with Sec.  66.204.
    (b) The request or petition may be supplemented, amended, or 
withdrawn in writing at any time without prior approval of the 
Administrator, and without affecting resubmission, except when the 
Administrator has responded to the request or petition.
    (c) If the Administrator determines that the request or petition 
satisfies the standards for consideration in Sec.  66.202, AMS will 
initiate a rulemaking that would amend the definition of 
``bioengineered food'' in Sec.  66.1 to include the factor or 
condition.
    (d) An Administrator's determination that the request or petition 
does not satisfy the standards for consideration in Sec.  66.202 
constitutes final agency action for purposes of judicial review.


Sec.  66.202   Standards for consideration.

    In evaluating a request or petition, the Administrator must apply 
the applicable standards described in this section.
    (a) The requested factor or condition is within the scope of the 
definition of ``bioengineering'' in 7 U.S.C. 1639(1).
    (b) The Administrator must evaluate the difficulty and cost of 
implementation and compliance.
    (c) The Administrator may consider other relevant information, 
including whether the factor or condition is compatible with the food 
labeling requirements of other agencies or countries, as part of the 
evaluation.


Sec.  66.204   Submission of request or petition.

    (a) Submission procedures and format. A person must submit the 
request to the Agricultural Marketing Service in the form and manner 
established by AMS.
    (b) Required information. The request or petition must include the 
information described in this paragraph (b).
    (1) Description of the factor or condition.
    (2) Analysis of why the factor or condition should be included in 
considering whether a food is a bioengineered food, including any 
relevant information, publication, and/or data. The analysis should 
include how the Administrator should apply the standards in Sec.  
66.202 of this subpart.

[[Page 19889]]

    (3) If the request or petition contains Confidential Business 
Information (CBI), the submission must comply with the requirements of 
this paragraph (b)(3).
    (i) The requester or petitioner must submit one copy that is marked 
as ``CBI Copy'' on the first page and on each page containing CBI.
    (ii) The requester or petitioner must submit a second copy with the 
CBI deleted. This copy must be marked as ``CBI Redacted'' on the first 
page and on each page where the CBI was deleted.
    (iii) The submission must include an explanation as to why the 
redacted information is CBI.

Subpart D--Recordkeeping


Sec.  66.300   Scope.

    This subpart applies to records for food on the lists maintained by 
AMS of bioengineered foods commercially available in the United States.


Sec.  66.302   Recordkeeping requirements.

    (a) General. (1) Entities subject to this subpart must maintain 
records that are customary or reasonable to demonstrate compliance with 
the bioengineered food disclosure requirements of this part.
    (2) The records must contain sufficient detail as to be readily 
understood and audited.
    (3) Records must be maintained for at least two years beyond the 
date the food or food product is sold or distributed for retail sale.
    (b) Records supporting non-disclosure. If a food is on either AMS-
maintained list of bioengineered foods commercially available in the 
United States and does not bear a bioengineered food disclosure, 
entities subject to this subpart must maintain records that include 
documented verification that the food is not a bioengineered food or 
that it does not contain a bioengineered food ingredient.


Sec.  66.304   Access to records.

    (a) Request for records. When AMS makes a request for records, the 
entity must provide the records to AMS within five (5) business days, 
unless AMS extends the deadline.
    (b) On-site access. If AMS needs to access the records at the 
entity's place of business, AMS will provide prior notice of at least 
three (3) business days. AMS will examine the records during normal 
business hours, and the records will be made available during those 
times. Access to any necessary facilities for an examination of the 
records must be extended to AMS.
    (c) Failure to provide access. If the entity fails to provide 
access to the records as required under this section, the result of the 
audit or examination of records will be that the entity did not comply 
with the requirement to provide access to records and AMS could not 
confirm whether the entity is in compliance with the bioengineered food 
disclosure standard for purposes of Sec.  66.402 of this part.

Subpart E--Enforcement


Sec.  66.400   Prohibited act.

    It is a violation of section 293 of the Act for any person to 
knowingly fail to make a bioengineered food disclosure in accordance 
with this part.


Sec.  66.402   Audit or examination of records.

    (a) Any interested person who has knowledge of or information 
regarding a possible violation of this part may file a written 
statement or complaint with the Administrator. The Administrator will 
determine whether reasonable grounds exist for an investigation of such 
complaint.
    (b) If the Administrator determines that further investigation of a 
complaint is warranted, an audit or examination may be made of the 
records of the entity responsible for the bioengineered food disclosure 
under Sec.  66.100(a) of this part.
    (c) Notice regarding records audits or examinations will be 
provided in accordance with Sec.  66.304(a) and (b) of this part.
    (d) At the conclusion of the audit or examination of records, AMS 
will make the findings of the audit or examination of records available 
to the entity that was the subject of the audit or examination of 
record.
    (e) If the entity that is the subject of the audit or examination 
of record objects to any findings, it may request a hearing in 
accordance with Sec.  66.404 of this subpart.


Sec.  66.404   Hearing.

    (a) Within 30 days of receiving the results of an audit or 
examination of records to which the entity that was the subject of the 
audit or examination of record objects, the entity may request a 
hearing by filing a request, along with the entity's response to the 
findings and any supporting documents, with AMS.
    (b) The response to the findings of the audit or examination of 
records must identify any objection to the findings and the basis for 
the objection.
    (c) The AMS Administrator or designee will review the findings of 
the audit or examination of records, the response, and any supporting 
documents, and may allow the entity that was the subject of the audit 
or examination of records to make an oral presentation.
    (d) At the conclusion of the hearing, the AMS Administrator or 
designee may revise the findings of the audit or examination of 
records.


Sec.  66.406   Summary of results.

    (a) If the entity that was the subject of the audit or examination 
of records does not request a hearing in accordance with Sec.  66.404, 
or at the conclusion of a hearing, AMS will make public the summary of 
the final results of the audit or examination of records.
    (b) AMS' decision to make public the summary of the final results 
constitutes final agency action for purposes of judicial review.

    Dated: April 30, 2018.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-09389 Filed 5-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P