The U.S. Department of Agriculture has invited public comment on the proposed rule to establish the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.

The rule, mandated by Congress in 2016, will provide "a uniform way to offer meaningful disclosure for consumers who want more information about their food."

It said it would also "avoid a patchwork system of state or private labels that could be confusing for consumers and would likely drive up food costs."

"This rulemaking presents several possible ways to determine what foods will be covered by the final rule and what the disclosure will include and look like," said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

"We are looking for public input on a number of these key decisions before a final rule is issued later this year."

The proposed rule is open to comment for 60 days.

www.freshfruitportal.com