Weekly Topic: Coming changes to food regulation
James Kincheloe

IN DEPTH: Coming changes to food regulation

Growing interest in food technologies

The emergence of new genomic technologies such as CRISPR, which allows targeted gene editing to a level never before possible, and the recent successes of companies such as Impossible and Beyond Meat, which have pushed the boundaries of what is acceptable and possible in the marketplace and to the consumer, indicates food production and consumption could be in the midst of a revolution.

The landscape of the food production and consumption is poised to change dramatically, and stakeholders have taken notice and want to ensure their interests are met. Consumer groups want to ensure a safe and transparent food supply, while food industries want to encourage innovation which isn’t overburdened by unnecessary regulation and scrutiny.

Both sides of this debate acknowledge that changes are needed to both the way food technologies are presented to the public and the means by which they are regulated.

US Regulators take notice

Regulators are following the changes closely and acknowledge that food policy may need to adjust for the emergence of these new technologies and foods.
In early June, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a new proposed rule for public review called “Movement of Certain Genetically Sustainable Engineered Organisms.”

In a press release, the USDA says the rule was guided by the principles of Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient, and called it SECURE for short. USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach said, “As the name SECURE implies, this proposed rule incorporates the need for efficient and sustainable agricultural production to help feed and clothe the world combined with responsible and predictable regulatory oversight to safeguard America’s ecology and plant health.”

He expanded, “SECURE would enable APHIS to evaluate GE organisms for plant pest risk with greater precision than the current rule allows, ensuring oversight and risk are based on the best available science. This common sense approach will ultimately give farmers more choices in the field and consumers more choices at the grocery store.” The rule is open for public review and comments until August 5th.

The next week, President Trump released an executive order mandating regulatory revamping to help address new advances in food biotechnology. The order requires regulatory agencies to “identify relevant regulations and guidance documents within their respective jurisdictions that can be streamlined…” and “remove undue barriers.” In addition, the order stipulates that a website to help technology developers navigate regulation be developed by these agencies and that they develop an action plan to engage consumers about the new biotechnology advances.

USDA
Executive Order

Stakeholders come together at conference this week to address food policy

The Institute on Science for Global Policy (ISGP) has been operating over the past decade to hold conferences to bring together stakeholders on complex topics such as climate change and environmental impacts of food production. “The effectiveness of governmental and societal policies increasingly depends on decision makers obtaining an accurate understanding of the opportunities, and risks, associated with emerging and 'at-the-horizon' scientific and technological achievements,” said Dr. George Atkinson, founder and former Science and Technology Adviser to U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.

The current conference is titled “Innovative Foods and Ingredients” and is the first in a series constructed to bring out the different viewpoints and motivations of scientific, technological, private sector, governmental, and public advocacy stakeholders in issues within the changing food production landscape which are catalyzed by new technologies, reflecting the vast array of interests in this arena.

Results from the conference will be eventually compiled and released and could be used to inform needed action from all stakeholders on these technologies and foods.

Institute on Science for Global Policy

Questions, comments, feedback about today's Weekly Topic? Please email Dr. James Kincheloe.

James Kincheloe

James Kincheloe

James received his DVM from the University of California, Davis. He has worked as a herd veterinarian for dairy cows and a small animal veterinarian in California. Jim is interested in agricultural and infectious disease policy, and has collaborated on domestic and international projects across the public health spectrum.