The USDA’s mandatory labeling for bioengineered crops (f/k/a GMO) went into effect January 1st. But will it actually change consumer preferences and shopping habits? According to a study from Cornell University, probably not.

Companies have the option of simply adding a QR code on their packaging. Shoppers have to actively take the step of scanning the QR code and reading the information to learn whether the product contains any bioengineered products. So without a visual cue (even the sunny and warm BE labels) the vast majority of consumers will never even realize it’s there.

There was another unsurprising aspect to this as well. When there was a debate about GMO labeling in any particular jurisdiction, Google searches about GMOs increased. But as soon as that debate was over, the interest waned as well.

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And that explains why some groups aren’t happy about the BE label: it isn’t going to scare people. They were hoping for a skull-and-cross-bones label. They spent years demonizing biotechnology and they’re angry the government doesn’t want to use the-long-maligned term GMO. Just remember: if people are scared, they aren’t donating money to activist organizations!!

That’s precisely why I’m such a fan!

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here.