Biobased Labeling

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a labeling system to identify products made with renewable plant, animal and other bio-based materials.

The Bio-preferred labeling proposal is an outgrowth of the federal government's Bio-preferred purchasing program, which was created by the 2002 Farm Bill. The 2008 Farm Bill expanded the program to promote the purchase of bio-based products outside of the government.

The USDA hopes that a labeling system for bio-based products will help consumers, businesses and governments easily identify bio-based products, and also act as a marketing tool for the product manufacturers and vendors.

The USDA defines bio-based products as items that are made up entirely or mostly of biological ingredients like plant, animal, marine and forestry materials. A product would be able to use the Bio-preferred label if it meets or exceeds the USDA's minimum content requirements.

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