Organic is Non-GMO by CCOF

Organic is non-GMO because the use of GMOs is prohibited in organic production. For example, organic farmers cannot plant GMO seeds, organic livestock cannot eat GMO feed, and organic food manufacturers cannot use GMO ingredients.

Organic producers are also required by law to protect their crops and products from unintentional contact with GMOs. For example, organic farmers may need procedures to prevent GMO drift from adjacent farms. Processors must separate organic ingredients from non-organic ingredients during receiving, processing, storage, and shipping. USDA-accredited certifying agents such as CCOF verify that certified organic producers do not use GMOs and have effective prevention strategies. CCOF annually inspects every operation to verify that the certified operator is adequately preventing contact with GMOs. CCOF also periodically tests for GMOs, which helps verify that each level of the supply chain has adequate prevention strategies in place. If GMOs are suspected or detected, CCOF is required by law to conduct an investigation to determine if a violation of organic farming or processing standards occurred. 

Non-GMO does not mean GMO-free because organic producers continue to be at risk from inadvertent contamination as non-organic food systems increase their use of GMOs. Buying organic helps stop the spread of GMOs because it supports the farmers and companies that not only do not use GMOs, but who also proactively protect their certified products.

Can GMOs be used in Organic Products

The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can’t plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can’t eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can’t use any GMO ingredients.

To meet the USDA organic regulations, farmers and processors must show they aren’t using GMOs and that they are protecting their products from contact with prohibited substances from farm to table.

Can GMOs be used in Organic Products

What do the four different organic labels mean? (from USDA website)

What do the four different organic labels mean? 

“100 Percent Organic”

  • Used to label any product that contains 100 percent organic ingredients (excluding salt and water, which are considered natural)
  • Most raw, unprocessed or minimally processed farm crops can be labeled “100 percent organic”
    • PDP: May include USDA organic seal and/or 100 percent organic claim
    • IP: Identify organic ingredients (e.g., organic dill) or via asterisk or other mark

“Organic”

  • Any product that contains a minimum of 95 percent organic ingredients (excluding salt and water)
  • Up to 5 percent of ingredients may be nonorganic agricultural products and/or nonagricultural products on the National List (nonorganic agricultural products and several nonagricultural products on the National List may only be used if they are not commercially available as organic)
    • PDP: May include USDA organic seal and/or organic claim
    • IP: Identify organic ingredients (e.g., organic dill) or via asterisk or other mark

“Made with Organic ______”

  • Product contains at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding salt and water), with a number of detailed constraints regarding ingredients that comprise the nonorganic portion
    • PDP: May state “made with organic (insert up to three ingredients or ingredient categories)”; must not include USDA organic seal anywhere, represent finished product as organic, or state “made with organic ingredients”
    • IP: Identify organic ingredients (e.g., organic dill) or via asterisk or other mark

Specific Organic Ingredient Listings

  • Specific organic ingredients may be listed in the ingredient statement of products containing less than 70 percent organic contents—for example, “Ingredients: water, barley, beans, organic tomatoes, salt.”
    • PDP: Must not include USDA organic seal anywhere or the word “organic”
    • IP: May only list certified organic ingredients as organic in the ingredient list and the percentage of organic ingredients; remaining ingredients not required to follow the USDA organic regulations