Late last year, the Grocery Manufacturers Association asked FDA to consider a labeling definition for the term "natural" that would be broad enough to encompass foods derived from biotechnology. A new study released this month confirms that, in fact, many foods marketed as "natural" contain ingredients with genetically modified organisms ("GMOs"). Consumer Reports recently surveyed more than 80 different corn- and soy-based foods and found that nearly all samples labeled "natural" had significant amounts of GMO ingredients, whereas products labeled "non-GMO" or "organic" generally did not. There have been several actions by plaintiffs against GMO food producers, alleging their "natural" claims are misleading. Despite these activities, FDA has yet to adopt a definition for the term "natural."
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