Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-110
§1639 Definitions
Title 7 › CHAPTER 38 — DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS › SUBCHAPTER V — NATIONAL BIOENGINEERED FOOD DISCLOSURE STANDARD › § 1639
Summary
Defines three key words used in this part. Bioengineering means a food whose genetic material was changed using lab recombinant DNA methods, and the change could not have been made by normal breeding or found in nature. Food means an item that fits the legal definition in section 321 of title 21 and is meant for people to eat. Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §1639
Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In this subchapter:
(1)Bioengineering
The term “bioengineering”, and any similar term, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to a food, refers to a food—
(A)that contains genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques; and
(B)for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.
(2)Food
The term “food” means a food (as defined in section 321 of title 21) that is intended for human consumption.
(3)Secretary
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 1639
Title 7, Agriculture
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110