Digimarc Corporation announced that Digimarc Barcode has been adopted by the USDA as an approved digital disclosure method for products and packaging containing bioengineered food, commonly referred to as GMOs. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard was published last month after a review and comment period lasting more than two years. The regulations include provisions for label disclosure of food products containing genetically modified organisms, which will go into effect on February 19, 2019. The new Standard requires food manufacturers, importers and other entities that label foods for retail sale to disclose information about bioengineered content. A mechanism for disclosure stated in the rules is packaging that contains "digital watermark technology that is imperceptible to consumers but can be scanned anywhere on a food package using a smart phone or other device." Digimarc worked closely with the USDA to demonstrate how digital watermarking technology provides a flexible and scalable approach to handling not only the current requirements in the Standard, but also additional industry initiatives and potential future regulations fostering product transparency. Digimarc Barcode is also an approved means to link to SmartLabel® product transparency content. The SmartLabel® mobile consumer app already detects Digimarc Barcode. Now manufacturers and private label retailers can use Digimarc Barcode as a one-source solution to satisfy both their voluntary SmartLabel® program participation and mandatory bioengineered disclosures. Digimarc Barcode is a new generation of barcode that can be added to product packaging, retail labels and hangtags, Point-of-Purchase (POP) displays and print material. It is reliably and efficiently scanned by enabled consumer phones, associate mobile devices, retail barcode scanners and computer vision systems. Digimarc Barcode for packaging is visually imperceptible to consumers in ordinary conditions, giving brands and retailers an effective means to satisfy the new federal regulations without having to add a QR code to the package design. Digimarc has invested heavily to create an extensive ecosystem of partners ranging from device manufacturers to premedia agencies and printers to implement Digimarc Barcode on food packaging. The company also offers design and other consulting services to help companies integrate Digimarc Barcode into existing and new package designs.