Court Orders USDA to Revise Bioengineered Food Labeling Rule

A federal court has invalidated a key US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulation that exempted many processed foods from bioengineered-disclosure requirements. The US District Court for the Northern District of California affirmed a 2025 ruling that the USDA acted arbitrarily when it excluded highly refined ingredients from the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard simply because modified genetic material is undetectable after processing. The exemption had shielded an estimated 70% to 80% of genetically modified foods from labeling rules. The court also ruled against the USDA's policy allowing QR codes as a stand-alone method for disclosure. This decision has broad implications for the food and beverage industry, as many products previously exempt will likely now require new labeling. The court has ordered the USDA to revise its regulations by January 1, 2028, after rejecting the agency’s request for a longer extension. Food manufacturers and retailers should monitor the forthcoming rulemaking and re-evaluate their products and supply chains to ensure compliance with the expanded disclosure standard.