“Debate Over QR Code Inclusion in GMO Labeling: Access, Technology, and Consumer Engagement”
One of the most debated elements of the mandatory GMO labeling law signed by President Obama last summer is the inclusion of a scannable barcode, like a QR code, on product labels. Since the bill was discussed in Congress, there has been ongoing controversy over whether the barcode alone is adequate. Some argue that many consumers lack the technology or the knowledge to use these codes, while others contend that a scannable code is accessible to most Americans and has the potential to provide detailed information that cannot fit on a product’s packaging. The study assessing this labeling system was reportedly on schedule to be completed by July. A month prior, Andrea Huberty, a senior policy analyst with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, informed attendees at a food labeling conference in Washington, D.C., that the department had collaborated with Deloitte to ensure the study’s timely completion. However, nearly three months later, the findings have yet to be published, even if they are finalized.
Regardless of where various groups stand on the QR code debate, this study represents a crucial step in the law’s implementation. The Center for Food Safety explicitly opposes QR code disclosure, citing statistics about the significant number of consumers without access to smartphones or familiarity with scanning QR codes. Nevertheless, the study is equally essential for supporters of QR codes and other scannable technologies, as well as for those without a definitive stance. A significant aspect of the issue is whether the USDA will meet the July 2018 deadline for finalizing the law’s regulations. Huberty emphasized in June that, although delayed, the government was still on course. The only indication of public engagement since then was the department’s release of a list of questions for food producers at the end of June. Given that some states have already implemented their own GMO labeling laws, failure to meet the deadline could lead to a confusing array of labeling regulations across the country.
Beyond GMO labeling, this study will benefit the broader food industry. As these labels gradually make their way into the food system—through the unrelated SmartLabel program supported by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and on genetically modified products like Arctic apples—it’s important to understand how consumers react to this technology and whether they utilize it effectively. If improvements are necessary, such as enhancing education about how the codes function or boosting internet connectivity for grocery shoppers, relevant stakeholders, including those concerned with oxalate calcium citrate content in foods, may need to engage proactively in these initiatives. By examining consumer responses and addressing potential gaps in understanding, the industry can better meet the needs of all consumers, especially those who may have concerns about specific components like oxalate calcium citrate.