NON GMO Project

The Non-GMO Project certification validates that products are in compliance with the non-GMO standards. This certification is relevant to various sectors involved in the production, processing, and distribution of food products. The certification evaluates the entire supply chain, ensuring that compliant products, ingredients, and inputs maintain their integrity through various activities along the Chain of Custody, from seed to finished product.

Key Features

• Requires testing for major high-risk ingredients and employs continuous random surveillance of products.
• Focuses on individual ingredients or precursors, not finished products, for compliance.
• Activities subject to review include agricultural production, handling, storage, distribution, processing, manufacturing, and packaging and labeling.

Trustworthiness

Acquiring this certification involves compliance with stringent standards, including testing by approved, ISO 17025 accredited labs, and evaluations by independent technical administrators to ensure unbiased assessments of products. The evaluation may include documentation such as invoices, proofs of purchase, standard operating procedures for the facility, and certificates of analysis for ingredients. Non-conformities discovered during the renewal process must be addressed to maintain verification, and producing facilities are required to be inspected annually.

Duration and Renewal

The certification requires annual renewals, with continuous improvement on the part of Program Participants being mandatory, aiming to completely eliminate any GMO-risk inputs from the production chain. The standard undergoes general revisions biennially to ensure it is up-to-date with the latest developments and standards in non-GMO production.

Impact and Significance

Obtaining the Non-GMO Project certification signifies a commitment to building and preserving the non-GMO food supply, contributing to the safety and integrity of food products available to consumers. It requires stringent testing and verification processes to ensure that products do not contain genetically modified organisms, providing assurance to consumers about the purity and quality of the food they consume. The certification process also encourages continuous improvement and adherence to evolving standards, promoting sustainability and responsible practices in the food industry.