GLADSTONE, Mo. – The Coalition for Responsible Gene Editing in Agriculture continues to refine the Framework for Responsible Use as a market assurance program organizations can follow to demonstrate their commitment to the safe and transparent use of gene editing technology.
The Coalition welcomes feedback to help clarify the intent of the principles and commitments, increase the credibility of the framework, and/or streamline the verification process. The comment period was open from April 1-30, 2023.
“The Framework was developed with input from a diverse group of food system stakeholders to give food system stakeholders and consumers confidence that the technology is being used responsibly and transparently,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity, which administers the Coalition. “We designed the process with a focus on continuous improvement and an annual review to ensure the program remains credible, workable and affordable as the technology and applications evolve over time.”
The Coalition’s Framework Oversight Committee is now reviewing comments that were submitted and will collate the information to recommend possible updates to the Framework for Responsible Use. Individuals who included contact information with their comments will receive a draft copy of any proposed updates or changes in August.
The Framework for Responsible Use has been publicly endorsed by agriculture and food leaders including Benson Hill, BIO, Cargill Inc., Corteva Agriscience, Costco Wholesale, FMI – The Food Industry Association, Genus PLC, PepsiCo and Tropic Biosciences. Corteva AgriScience is the first company to achieve verification of operating in conformance with the framework.
In addition, Costco Wholesale has started to train all its buying staff so that it can confirm with its suppliers that the developer of any gene edited product or ingredient derived from gene editing technology in the Costco supply chain has achieved verification and is in conformance with the Framework for Responsible Use.
Costco has been involved with the Coalition since its founding in 2016, with Craig Wilson, Vice President, General Merchandising Manager of Quality Assurance/ Food Safety, Non-Foods Quality Assurance for Costco, serving on the Coalition Oversight Committee.
“Gene editing has great potential. We believe this verification program is the best tool to help honor our commitment to our members to transparency and maintain the integrity of the products in our warehouses,” Wilson said. “If each technology developer creating gene edited food or ingredients achieves verification through the Framework for Responsible Use, we can assure our members that all gene-edited foods and/or ingredients on our shelves were developed safely and responsibly.”
To achieve verification, a technology developer must provide evidence that it developed and implemented procedures to meet the commitments outlined in the Framework. This evidence is reviewed and validated by a professional, third-party auditor to protect the integrity and credibility of the verification program. The process takes approximately six months.
Developers who are interested in beginning the process to achieve verification can access resources on the Coalition’s website and contact geneediting@foodintegrity.org to begin the process.
The Coalition was formed by The Center for Food Integrity to strive for global understanding and acceptance of the responsible use of gene editing technology in the food system. To learn more about the Coalition, visit geneediting.foodintegrity.org.