Bioengineered, abbreviated BE, is the United States government's official label term for foods that contain detectable genetic material modified through genetic engineering. Under the USDA National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, covered manufacturers must disclose bioengineered content on the package. It is a mandatory disclosure defined by law, which is different from a voluntary non-GMO certification a company chooses to pursue.
In depth
The USDA standard, in force since 2022, requires food companies above a small-business threshold to disclose when a product is bioengineered or contains bioengineered ingredients. Disclosure can appear as text, the BE symbol, a scannable code or a phone number.
Bioengineered is a regulatory disclosure, not a marketing claim. A voluntary non-GMO certification works the other way around: it is a claim a manufacturer earns by tracing inputs to non-engineered sources and verifying them against supplier declarations. A product can be outside the BE disclosure list and still seek non-GMO verification for the shelf.
See GMO for the underlying science and high-risk crop for the inputs most likely to trigger a bioengineered disclosure.
Related marks
- Non-GMOStrongest as part of a bundle.
Related terms
- GMO (genetically modified organism) — A GMO is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering rather than conventional breeding.
- High-risk crop — A high-risk crop is a crop with a commercially available genetically engineered version in wide cultivation, so ingredients derived from it need closer non-GMO scrutiny.
- Supplier declaration — A supplier declaration is a written statement from a supplier confirming facts about an ingredient, such as its source, composition or processing.
Frequently asked questions
Is bioengineered the same as non-GMO?
No. Bioengineered is a mandatory USDA disclosure for detectable engineered genetic material; non-GMO is a voluntary certification a company earns by tracing and verifying its inputs.