Information Density: The Non-GMO Project – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

[H1] The Non-GMO Project
is a nonprofit organization protecting your right to know what's in your food. The Non-GMO Project administers North America's most rigorous certification for avoiding GMOs.See our mission
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[H2] Your customers want to know about your Non-GMO commitment
The Butterfly showcases your commitment to a transparent, natural and non-GMO food system.LEARN MORE ABOUT VERIFICATIONGet VerifiedView Verified Products
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[H2] Your customers want to know about your Non-GMO commitment.
The Butterfly showcases your commitment to a transparent, natural and non-GMO food system.LEARN MORE ABOUT VERIFICATIONGet VerifiedView Verified Products
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[H3] What Is a GMO?
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Learn about GMOs
[H3] Program Rules and Procedures
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Learn about the Rules
[H3] What Is the Non-GMO Project Standard?
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Learn about the Standard
[H2] News and events
Equitable Transfer ProgramThe Equitable Transfer Program offers funding to BIPOC-led companies to assist with the costs of Non-GMO Project verification, up to a maximum of $10,000. Application round closes at 5pm on March 31, 2026.Apply TodayHow to Land the ButterflyLearn more about the Non-GMO Project and how to enroll your products in our Product Verification Program! This is an excellent opportunity to learn more and ask questions.Register Here
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As eaters reach for non-GMO dairy options, millions of acres and billions of dollars are being funneled toward GMOs. New genetically engineered dairy proteins are hitting grocery shelves unlabeled. This month, learn what synthetic dairy is and how to spot it in the market. And why regenerative agriculture is building real solutions.Learn more about dairy month
[H2] As a nonprofit, the Non-GMO Project depends on supporters like you
Make a donationWe truly appreciate your support of our mission. Your contribution helps us continue to make an impact in preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers and providing verified non-GMO choices.

[H1] The Butterfly helps your business grow. Learn more about verification.
Non-GMO Project verification highlights your commitment to a transparent, natural, non-GMO food system.Verification FAQsVerification ResourcesSchedule a CALL
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[H2] Why get verified?
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Shoppers look for the Butterfly
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Appeal to natural consumers and retailers
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Share your brand values with your customers
[H2] Why Get Verified?
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Shoppers look for the Butterfly
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Appeal to natural consumers and retailers
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Share your brand values with your customers
[H2] The verification process
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Step 1: Reach outThe Non-GMO Project works with four independent technical administrators (TAs) to ensure unbiased product evaluations. Fill out our Get Started form and the Non-GMO Project team will follow up with you to answer your questions and connect you with the TAs. You can also visit our technical administrators page to learn more and find contact information and pricing for each TA.
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Step 2: Work with your selected TAOnce you have selected your technical administrator, you will sign a contract with the TA and a license agreement with the Non-GMO Project. Your TA will facilitate the verification process, evaluating your product(s) to ensure compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard.Product evaluationYour TA will guide you through the evaluation process. The evaluation may include (but is not limited to) documentation such as invoices, proofs of purchase, standard operating procedures for your facility and certificates of analysis for your ingredients.VerificationYou will receive a Certificate of Verification (COV) from your TA. If you have questions regarding your COV, your TA will help.
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Step 3: Work with the Non-GMO ProjectOnce you receive a Certificate of Verification, you can use the Non-GMO Project Verified mark (the Butterfly!) on your products. Our Client Experience team will be able to provide you with additional educational and marketing support.Leverage your verificationThe Non-GMO Project team includes passionate researchers, marketers and client experience specialists who promote the Butterfly on your behalf. We continually seek opportunities to highlight our partnership with participating brands and look forward to collaborating with you and supporting your products. Together, we're building a resilient, diverse and non-GMO food supply.
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Step 4: Complete your annual renewalYour technical administrator will review your Verified product annually to ensure ongoing compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard and renew your COV. If you would like to add new products to your portfolio at any time, please contact your TA directly. Renewal fees apply.
[H2] Steps to Getting Non-GMO Verified
Step 1: Reach Out
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The Non-GMO Project works with four independent technical administrators (TAs) to ensure unbiased product evaluations. Fill out our Get Started form and the Non-GMO Project team will follow up with you to answer your questions and connect you with the TAs. You can also visit our technical administrators page to learn more and find contact information and pricing for each TA. Step 2: Work with your Selected TA
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Once you have selected your technical administrator, you will sign a contract with the TA and a license agreement with the Non-GMO Project. Your TA will facilitate the verification process, evaluating your product(s) to ensure compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard.Product evaluationYour TA will guide you through the evaluation process. The evaluation may include (but is not limited to) documentation such as invoices, proofs of purchase, standard operating procedures for your facility and certificates of analysis for your ingredients.VerificationYou will receive a Certificate of Verification (COV) from your TA. If you have questions regarding your COV, your TA will help.Step 3: Work with the Non-GMO Project
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Once you receive a Certificate of Verification, you can use the Non-GMO Project Verified mark (the Butterfly!) on your products. Our Client Experience team will be able to provide you with additional educational and marketing support.Leverage your verification The Non-GMO Project team includes passionate researchers, marketers and client experience specialists who market the Butterfly on your behalf. We continually seek opportunities to highlight our partnership with participating brands and look forward to collaborating with you and supporting your products. Together, we're building a resilient, diverse and non-GMO food supply.Step 4: Complete your annual renewal
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Your technical administrator will review your Verified product annually to ensure ongoing compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard and renew your COV. If you would like to add new products to your portfolio at any time, please contact your TA directly. Renewal fees apply.
[H2] How to get the Butterfly label
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We’re here to support you business on your Non-GMO Project verification journey. Our team of experts and collaborative partners is ready to answer any questions. Reach out to us by filling out our Get Started form or scheduling a call for a time that works for you.
[H3] Take the first step toward verification
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Get Started
[H3] Meet the technical administrators
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LEARN MORE
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[H2] Ready to get verified?
If you would like to receive information about how to begin the Non-GMO Project’s Product Verification Program, please complete the form by clicking the button below. Our Client Experience team will connect with you as soon as possible.Get Started
[H2] Not ready to start the process?
Learn more about GMO'sLearn more aboutthe Non-GMO Project StandardDavid Ingalls, Chief Innovation OfficerMindful Nourishment / Zing Bars

[H1] GMO FAQ
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Got questions about GMOs? You can find a wealth of information in our frequently asked questions.BlogGMO FactsVerified Products
[H2] What does GMO mean?
GMO stands for "genetically modified organism." A GMO is a plant, animal or microorganism that has been subjected to biotechnology, including techniques such as using synthetic genetic sequences to change the organism's genetic material (i.e., DNA or RNA), or forcing the combination of very unrelated organisms that would not normally reproduce in nature.GMOs entered the food supply in the 1990s, mostly in the form of commodity crops engineered to withstand herbicide application or to produce an insecticide. New GMOs made through gene editing and other new genomic techniques include products such as synthetic animal-free milk, fruits and vegetables that don't turn brown, fast-growing fish, and more. To learn more, visit What Is a GMO?
[H2] Where do GMOs show up in your food?
The USDA itself has estimated that up to 70% of all packaged foods contain GMOs or GMO derivatives. Many common products and ingredients are derived from crops that are at high risk for being GMOs, such as genetically modified corn, soy, cotton, canola, alfalfa, apple, papaya, potato, sugar beet and zucchini. Animal-derived products such as meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, dairy and honey are considered high risk because GMOs are common ingredients in animal feed. Processed inputs and ingredients derived from high-risk crops and other compounds made through synthetic biology may be harder to spot. These may include corn starch, corn syrup, canola oil, sugar, molasses, soy lecithin, soy hemoglobin, citric acid, cellulose, maltodextrin, flavorings, vitamins and anything that says “vegetable” but is not specific.
[H2] Are GMOs safe to eat?
Contrary to industry claims, GMOs do not have a long-term history of safe use. To date, safety claims have been based primarily on short-term studies conducted by the companies that profit from them.In the 30 years since herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant GMO crops entered the food supply, a growing body of evidence has raised serious concerns about adverse health effects on human and non-human life. Also, the herbicides that go hand-in-hand with many GMOs can be harmful to human health even at very low levels. For a detailed list of potential health impacts and citations, see GMO Facts & Impacts.Newer forms of genetic engineering include a wide range of novel organisms and food ingredients that have entered the food supply in the past five-ten years without meaningful regulation or third-party safety testing.
[H2] Do we need GMOs to feed the growing human population?
While hunger is a complex issue driven by multiple social, economic and environmental factors, we currently produce enough food for every person on the planet, according to the UN World Food Program. GMOs have not meaningfully decreased hunger or malnutrition during the more than 30 years in the food supply.By volume, most GMO crops are used in livestock feed and biofuels. Those used in food for human consumption are often nutrient-poor but high in calories — the raw materials for ultraprocessed food. Multiple studies show GMO crops do not produce higher yields than non-GMO versions.Today, GMO developers may use new genomic techniques to produce proteins, fats and vitamins through fermentation. These techniques are very energy-intensive and unlikely to scale effectively, making them ineffective options for feeding a growing population on a warming planet. To learn more, see GMO Facts & Impacts.
[H2] Aren’t all crops genetically modified?
No, genetically modified organisms are distinct from crops produced using traditional breeding and selection which has been a part of human agriculture for thousands of years. Traditional selection and breeding techniques are based on natural reproduction through processes such as cross-pollination and some include modern laboratory techniques — but does not include biotechnology.GMOs are created exclusively through the use of biotechnology, which has only been around since the 1970s. Biotechnology involves manipulating a target organism's DNA or RNA or overcoming natural reproductive barriers. To learn more, read What's NOT a GMO?
[H2] How do GMOs affect farmers?
GMOs can undermine the resilience of our shared food system by impacting farmers' financial security and autonomy in the following ways:Increased costs — The cost of GMO seed has dramatically outpaced the cost of non-GMO seed. Also, GMOs are frequently sold with expensive accompanying herbicides and synthetic fertilizers.Increased risks — GMO contamination has been well-documented in corn, canola and alfalfa. Farmers with contaminated crops may be unable to sell their harvest and receive no compensation from the agrochemical companies responsible for GMO seeds. Herbicide drift from neighboring farms is another devastating form of GMO contamination. In 2016, dicamba drifted from GMO crops that were immune to the herbicide, destroying millions of acres of farmland and natural areas.Loss of autonomy — Because of the restrictive user agreements, farmers are prohibited from saving seed from GMO crops. Seed saving is an essential practice in large parts of the Global South, where seed companies are leading legal challenges to the right to save, share or breed seeds.To learn more, see GMO Facts & Impacts.
[H2] How do GMOs impact the environment?
GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture and are developed and sold by the world’s biggest chemical companies. GMOs may impact the environment directly and indirectly, and, once released into the environment, they cannot be recalled. Increased herbicide use — GMOs engineered to withstand herbicide application have led to a dramatic increase in herbicide use. These chemicals can be toxic to non-target pests, reduce plant and animal diversity in the landscape, and pose risks to human health.Superweeds and superbugs — Herbicide-tolerant GMOs and GMOs engineered to produce insecticide have contributed to the emergence of superweeds and superbugs that are immune to common pesticides.Contamination — GMOs can contaminate other organisms through pollen transfer or seed spillage, undermining the genetic integrity of native and wild varieties and endangering future plant-breeding efforts. Increased energy use — New GMOs, including some lab-grown meat and products made through precision fermentation, impact the environment through energy-intensive operations and a reliance on fossil fuels and fracking.To learn more, see GMO Facts & Impacts.
[H2] What does “high risk” mean? What crops are high risk?
The term "high risk" refers to a crop with a widely commercially available GMO version. For example, the Non-GMO Project considers corn a high-risk crop because 93% of US-grown corn is GMO. The term "high risk" does not mean the crop is harmful or worse than other crops.High-risk crops currently include alfalfa, apple, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, potato, soy, sugar beet and zucchini.To learn more, visit Understanding Risk Status.
[H2] What does non-GMO mean? What does Non-GMO Project Verified mean?
Non-GMO means a product was produced without genetic engineering and its ingredients are not derived from GMOs. Non-GMO Project Verified specifically means that a product is compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, which includes stringent provisions for testing, traceability, and segregation. Only Non-GMO Project Verified products are allowed to use the verification mark. Importantly, the mark includes the Project’s URL, where consumers can look up the Standard to better understand what it means.To learn more, visit What Is Non-GMO Project Verified?
[H2] Learn more
Start the verification processNon-GMO Project StandardRelated resourcesGMO Facts & ImpactsMore infoWhat Is a GMOMore infoUnderstanding Risk StatusMore infoBlogMore info

[H1] About the Non-GMO Project
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The Non-GMO Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building and preserving the non-GMO food supply for all. We offer North America’s most trusted certification for GMO avoidance. With our Butterfly label, shoppers decide for themselves whether to consume GMOs.
[H2] Our mission
The Non-GMO Project is a mission-driven nonprofit organization offering rigorous product verification and trustworthy education that empowers people to care for themselves, the planet, and future generations.We believe…
Everyone has a right to know what is in their food and deserves access to non-GMO choices.
By voting with our dollars every time we shop, collectively, we have the power to change how our food is grown and made.
Preserving and building the non-GMO supply chain is a critical step in transitioning toward a non-GMO food supply for future generations.
The integrity of our diverse genetic inheritance is essential to environmental health and ecological harmony.
A verified non-GMO system supports organic and regenerative agriculture by reducing contamination pressure and protecting the supply of non-GMO seed.
[H2] Our history
The Non-GMO Project was founded by two grocery stores, The Natural Grocery Company in Berkeley, California, and The Big Carrot Natural Food Market in Toronto, Ontario. Both stores had spent the preceding years helping customers learn about GMOs in the food supply. In 2007, they combined their efforts into the Non-GMO Project. After building a Board of Directors, identifying world-class technical administrators and revising several early versions of our Standard, the first products to bear the Butterfly label hit shelves in 2010. Today, Non-GMO Project verification is one of the fastest-growing labels in the retail sector. We continue to raise awareness about the GMO issue through consumer education and outreach, marketing support for Verified brands, and training and merchandising materials for retailers.