Adopting a product policy modeled after the templates below is one of the
most powerful things you can do as a retailer to help preserve a non-GMO food
supply in North America. While many existing non-GMO product policies rely on
supplier affidavits, random testing has shown that such self-made non-GMO claims
are often not as valid or credible as consumers expect.
By contrast, the Non-GMO Project requires that products meet rigorous best
practices, including ongoing testing of every batch of GMO-risk ingredient using a
0.9% action threshold.
Retailers started the Non-GMO Project, and it is retailer demand that will determine
its success. Thousands of products are already Non-GMO Project Verified—it is
an achievable standard, and with retailer diligence and demand we CAN have
an entirely non-GMO industry.
Please note that the policies below are intended as templates for you to adjust,
expand, rework, etc. so that they make sense for your unique store.
Please let the Non-GMO Project know if you adopt a product policy like the
ones below: retailers@nongmoproject.org.
Product Policy Template #1 (Focus on new products)
We recognize that consumers expect natural and organic products to be free of
GMOs, and are endeavoring to meet that expectation to the best of our ability.
Therefore, as of <<insert date>> we are no longer accepting new products
containing GMO risk ingredients* (corn, soy, canola, sugar etc.), unless they are
enrolled in the Non-GMO Project. Non-GMO Project Verification protects the
credibility of the manufacturer, the retailer, and the natural foods industry as a
whole, and provides the consumer with the informed choice they deserve.
Product Policy Template #2 (Focus on promotions)
We recognize that consumers expect natural and organic products to be free of
GMOs, and are endeavoring to meet that expectation to the best of our ability.
Therefore, as of <<insert date>> we are no longer accepting new promotions on
products containing GMO risk ingredients* (corn, soy, canola, sugar, etc.), unless
they are enrolled in the Non-GMO Project. Non-GMO Project Verification protects
the credibility of the manufacturer, the retailer, and the natural foods industry as a
whole, and provides the consumer with the informed choice they deserve.
Product Policy Template #3 (Focus on product replacement)
We recognize that consumers expect natural and organic products to be free of
GMOs, and are endeavoring to meet that expectation to the best of our ability.
Therefore, as of <<insert date>> products containing GMO risk ingredients* (corn,
soy, canola, sugar, etc.) will be subject to replacement by low-risk products of
similar type, quality, and price point, unless they are enrolled in the Non-GMO
Project. Non-GMO Project Verification protects the credibility of the manufacturer,
the retailer, and the natural foods industry as a whole, and provides the consumer
with the informed choice they deserve.
* List of Risk Crops & Ingredients
If you see any of these crops or ingredients on a product, there is a risk of GMO
contamination; demand verification by the Non-GMO Project. (Note that this list
is current as of March 2011; please see http://www.nongmoproject.org/productverification/non-gmo-project-standard/for the most up to date list of risk crops and
ingredients.)
HIGH RISK CROPS
Crops - The following crops carry risk of being genetically engineered, because
engineered varieties of these crops are grown large scale in North America and
certain other parts of the world:
Alfalfa
Canola
Corn
Cotton
Papaya
Soy
Sugar beets
Zucchini and yellow summer squash
MONITORED CROPS
Crops - The following crops carry
potential risk of being contaminated
with GMOs:
Beta vulgaris,(e.g., chard, table beets)
Brassica napa (e.g., rutabaga, Siberian
kale)
Brassica rapa (e.g., bok choy, mizuna,
Chinese cabbage, turnip, rapini, tatsoi)
Curcubita (acorn squash, delicata
squash, patty pan squash, pumpkin, and
spaghetti squash)
Flax
Rice
RISK INGREDIENTS & INPUTS
Animal Derivatives - These include
products derived from cattle, sheep, pigs,
chickens, and other common livestock,
fowl, and fish, and include the following:
Milk
Meat
Eggs
Honey and other bee products
Livestock Production Inputs
Monitored crops include those for which
suspected or known incidents of
contamination have occurred, and those
crops which have genetically modified
relatives in commercial production with
which cross-pollination is possible.
Cross pollination risk from GM sugar
beets
Cross pollination risk from GM canola
Cross pollination risk from GM canola
Cross-pollination risk from GM squash
If grown in China, beginning 2010 crop
Most animal-derived products have
GMO risk because soy, corn, cottonseed,
and canola are commonly used in feed.
Micro Inputs for feed such as vitamins
may also carry risk of not being
compliant with the Non-GMO Project
Standard (see below).
These animal derivatives may not be
used in Non-GMO Project approved
products unless verified as compliant
with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
Hides and skins are also included in this
category.
Due to potential for contamination with
GMO crop pollen.
The following inputs may not be used
unless verified as compliant with the
rBGH, rBST (recombinant Bovine Growth
Hormone or recombinant Bovine
Somatotropin)
Semen
Vaccines
Veterinary Medicines
Microbes and microbial products
Enzymes, including chymosin
Microbial cultures and starters
Processed/processing inputs and
ingredients, and related derivatives,
derived from crops, livestock, or
microorganisms:
Amino Acids
Aspartame
Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate,
Vitamin C
Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Ethanol
Flavorings, “natural” and “artificial”
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Lactic acid
Maltodextrins
Microbial growth media
Molasses
Monosodium Glutamate
Sucrose
Textured vegetable protein
Xanthan Gum
Vitamins
Non-GMO Project Standard.
See Guidance at 1.2.1.6.
Including yeast.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of
derivatives with high GMO risk that are
commonly used in food production. It is
meant to provide examples of materials
that will be considered high-risk in the
Non-GMO Project Product Verification
Program. The following inputs may not
be used unless verified as compliant
with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
Derived from glucose syrup.
Derived from corn or GMO sugar beets.
Also the carrier may have GMO risk.
Derived from sugar beets, beginning
2008 crop.
Derived from sugar beets, beginning
2008 crop.
Including soy protein,
Vitamin A (various forms), Vitamin B6
(pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin
B12 (cyanocobalamin), Vitamin C
(ascorbic acid), and Vitamin E (various
forms) are known to have GMO risk.
Vitamins in general are often formulated
with dispersants and related ingredients
Yeast products
that also have GMO risk (e.g., corn oil).