Document Type
Article
Media Type
text
Publication Title
Northern Illinois University Law Review
Abstract
Bioengineered crops using genetically modified organisms (GMOs or GM) are big business in the United States. In little more than two decades, GM agriculture constitutes more than 90% of crops such as corn, soy, and canola. The acceptance of GMO foods by consumers, however, has not been as robust—leading to demand for labeling regulations so consumers can identify whether their foods contain GMOs. U.S. law governing GMOs, particularly food labeling, lacks a comprehensive regulatory scheme and is instead highly fragmented. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has debated how to label such foods for over a decade, issuing no rules since taking up the issue in 2015. In the absence of FDA rulemaking, first states, such as Vermont, and then the U.S. Congress introduced their own laws governing the labeling of GMO foods. These piecemeal laws have ultimately resulted in consumer litigation to fill the regulatory void.
First Page
365
Last Page
390
Publication Date
6-1-2026
Department
College of Law
Recommended Citation
Reese, Michael R. and Granade, George V.
(2026)
"U.S. Regulation and Litigation Regarding GMOs: A Cautionary Tale of a Piecemeal Framework,"
Northern Illinois University Law Review: Vol. 46:
Iss.
3, Article 4.
Suggested Citation
Michael R. Reese & George V. Granade, U.S. Regulation and Litigation Regarding GMOs: A Cautionary Tale of a Piecemeal Framework, 46 N. Ill. Univ. L. Rev. 365 (2026).
