New Law for GMO Labeling on ALL Food Packaging in Vermont

Urgent news for food manufacturers — On July 1, any brand selling food products in the state of Vermont must include a GMO or NON GMO label on their product packaging.

Companies across the country will be required to update packaging labeling to inform consumers whether or not their products contain genetically modified organisms. The statewide law will be enacted in an effort to provide transparency to consumers about which foods do or do not contain ingredients with GMOs. However, businesses will be scrambling to handle redesigning all of their product packaging within those few short months.

The law, first proposed in 2014, prompted many of our clients to begin planning ahead and adding the GMO or NON GMO label to their food product packaging. Even household name brands like Campbell’s have taken the initiative to become among the first CPG companies to publicly announce their stance on GMOs, including clear, simple labeling on all of product packaging indicating whether or not the item was made with genetically modified ingredients even before it was required by law.

A committee was established by the U.S. Congress to block this labeling requirement across the country. However, according to Packaging Digest, Senate did not advance a bill banning states from requiring food packaging to include information about the presence of GMOs. As a result, food manufacturers now must either comply with the label requirements or pay a hefty fine of $1,000 per day.

Options for businesses that have not yet gotten in font of this are to either pull distribution of their products in Vermont or rush to ensure all of their packaging is compliant with the new regulation. The harsh reality is anyone who waited until now to get their product NON GMO certified is too late — if they have not yet received the certification, they will have to alter their product packaging regardless to indicate the presence of GMOs in their food.

This law will affect the appearance and development of multiple types of packaging, from bags to cartons and stand up pouches. New graphics require new printing plates — The cost to add the GMO information on the outside of the package can range from 1 cylinder (if opting for black and white) or 5 cylinders (for full color). If existing artwork can accommodate the logo without being impacted, brands will be in much better shape than those that have to completely overhaul their packaging designs. If that’s the case, an all-new cylinder will be required, resulting in extra time and costs.

Packaging teams for companies large and small are already spread thin, and now they’ll be pushed even further to shift focuses solely on new product development and making changes to their package's artwork. Teaming with a trusted packaging partner when a crisis such as this arises can save your company a tremendous amount of time, money, and stress. Letting packaging experts guide your brand in the right direction from the get-go helps your food company to focus on perfecting and maintaining the quality of your product, rather than figuring out all the intricacies that come with designing high-functioning packaging that is protective, compliant, and best represents your product.

The last thing any company wants is to lose customers' trust and loyalty to their brand because they cannot accommodate changes to their packaging in the amount of time required by law. Pulling product from shelves across an entire state isn't good for business either, nor is paying thousands of dollars in fees and penalties. Staying up-to-date with food labeling legislation, and communicating with your packaging partner to discuss new solutions, will help food businesses stay afloat and out of hot water.