Non-GMO

Definition

Non-GMO — Made without genetically modified organisms, typically verified to a 0.9% threshold.

Non-GMO products are made without genetically modified organisms — crops or microorganisms whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering.

The most recognized verification in North America is the Non-GMO Project Verified butterfly seal, which requires testing of major risk ingredients (corn, soy, canola, sugar beet, cotton, alfalfa, papaya) and a contamination threshold below 0.9%, matching the European Union limit.

Non-GMO does not imply organic — non-GMO crops may still be grown with synthetic pesticides. For both standards, look for products that carry USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified seals.

See Non-GMO products

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Related terms

Vegan
Contains no animal-derived ingredients and no animal byproducts.
Cruelty-Free
Neither the finished product nor its ingredients were tested on animals.
B Corp
A for-profit company independently verified to meet high social and environmental standards.
USDA Organic
U.S. federal certification for food and farming free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and irradiation.

Using Non-GMO without overreading the claim

Made without genetically modified organisms, typically verified to a 0.9% threshold.

This term is not, by itself, proof of a certified product. Its meaning may depend on a technical definition, local rules or the boundaries of a particular claim.

Separate the question the term addresses from questions it does not answer. Material sourcing, labour conditions, chemical safety and disposal need different evidence. Catalogue labels are a starting point for checking that evidence, not a substitute for it.

Non-GMO: verification guide

CheckActionLimitation
DefinitionAsk what the term means in this claimTechnical concepts and marketing promises are different
BoundaryIdentify materials, locations and stages coveredA claim about one component cannot describe the whole lifecycle
EvidenceRequest methods, assumptions and dated supporting documentsA claim can need evidence without having a dedicated certifier

Before relying on Non-GMO

  • DefinitionAsk what the term means in this claim
  • BoundaryIdentify materials, locations and stages covered
  • EvidenceRequest methods, assumptions and dated supporting documents

Frequently asked

What does Non-GMO mean?+

Made without genetically modified organisms, typically verified to a 0.9% threshold.

How can I check a Non-GMO claim?+

Ask what the term means in this claim. Identify materials, locations and stages covered. Request methods, assumptions and dated supporting documents.