The primary purpose of the “Bioengineered” label is to convey to consumers that a product has been made using genetic engineering or bioengineering techniques. However, whether this label effectively serves this purpose is the subject of discussion.
A food I found that contained this label was the Impossible Burger ground beef. A seal located on the bottom right corner of the package of ground beef, can easily be missed. As well as the term “Bioengineered” being difficult to understand.
Clarity and understanding are a huge part of this discussion. The term “Bioengineered” is technical and less familiar to consumers compared to “GMO” or “Genetically Modified.” As a result, the label may not be as clear or easily understood by the general public. The effectiveness of this label definitely depends on consumers’ ability to recognize and comprehend it. Consumers may also have different definitions for the term. Some may view it as a clear and informative label, while others may see it as a more neutral or even technical term that doesn’t convey the potential implications of genetic modification. These consumers may also not expect to see the word “Bioengineered”, because “GMO” has been used more widely in the media. The use of “Bioengineered” instead of “GMO” may cause confusion or lead consumers to overlook the presence of genetically modified ingredients in a product, which would not help with the effectiveness of the label.
In summary, the effectiveness of the “Bioengineered” label in conveying to consumers that a product has been made by genetic engineering depends on various factors, mainly with consumer clarity and familiarity. Though this label does comply with USDA issued guidelines, this label would be more effective if they found a way to make it more consumer friendly.