The FDA’s responsibility is to ensure that foods under its purview meet applicable safety, labeling and other statutory and regulatory requirements. Foods derived from genetically engineered plants and animals must meet the same requirements, including safety and labeling requirements, as other foods. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA can only require additional labeling of foods derived from GE sources if there is a material difference—such as a different nutritional profile—between the GE product and its non-GE counterpart. In the case of the AquAdvantage Salmon, the FDA did not find any such differences.
 
“We recognize that some consumers are interested in knowing whether food ingredients are derived from GE sources,” said Susan Mayne, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). “The FDA is issuing two guidance documents that explain how food companies that want to voluntarily label their products can provide this information to consumers.”
 
These two guidance documents include 1) a draft guidance on voluntary labeling indicating whether food has or has not been derived from GE Atlantic salmon, and 2) a final guidance on voluntary labeling indicating whether food has or has not been derived from GE plants. 
 
Although companies can always voluntarily add labeling to their products as long as it’s truthful and not misleading, these guidances provide recommended actions for manufacturers who may wish to voluntarily label their products with information about whether the foods contain ingredients from GE sources.  
 
The agency is accepting public comment for 60 days starting on Nov. 24 via instructions in the Federal Register on Draft Guidance for Industry: Voluntary Labeling Indicating Whether Food Has or Has Not Been Derived from Genetically Engineered Atlantic Salmon.
 
How to Comment on the Draft Guidance
To comment on the draft guidance on voluntary labeling indicating whether food has or has not been derived from GE Atlantic salmon:

1) Read the Draft Guidance.
2) Starting Nov. 24, submit comments on the draft guidance on Regulations.gov.