Poll: Americans Far More Familiar with ‘GMO’ Foods Than USDA’s Choice of ‘Bioengineered’ for Proposed Disclosure Rule

For Immediate Release

July 11, 2018

Poll: Americans Far More Familiar with ‘GMO’ Foods Than USDA’s Choice of ‘Bioengineered’ for Proposed Disclosure Rule

WASHINGTON – New polling conducted on behalf of the Just Label It campaign found that while many Americans remain uncertain about the term “bioengineered food,” nearly three out of four are familiar with term “genetically modified food.”

The polling comes as the Department of Agriculture finalizes a rule implementing a 2016 mandatory GMO disclosure law.

One poll of 1,018 Americans, conducted on June 19, found that 72 percent of respondents were “very” or “somewhat” familiar with the term “genetically modified food.”

By contrast, only 55 percent of respondents were “very” or “somewhat” familiar with “bioengineered food,” the term the USDA may require food manufacturers to use under the new disclosure rule.

A second poll of 1,004 Americans, conducted on June 25, shows less than one-third know a “great deal” or “some” about so-called bioengineered food.

“This polling confirms that USDA should use familiar words like ‘genetically modified’ or ‘genetically engineered,’” said JLI Chairman Gary Hirshberg. “Using words like ‘bioengineered’ will simply sow more consumer confusion at a time when some consumers are still confused about GMO foods.”

Previous polling has found broad bipartisan support for the mandatory disclosure of GMO foods. A 2015 survey conducted by The Mellman Group on behalf of JLI found more than 88 percent of Americans support disclosure of GMOs.

JLI submitted comments to the USDA last week, calling on the agency to allow companies to use the words “genetically engineered” or “genetically modified” in GMO disclosures. JLI also urged the USDA to reject proposed loopholes for GMO oils and sugars, and to provide solutions for consumers without smartphones or reliable cell service who won’t have access to digital disclosures.

JLI is a coalition of more than 800 business and organizations supporting mandatory GMO disclosure.