Don’t be tricked by these labels! Understand the difference.

1 CommentEvergreen, Food, Health

The difference between Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic lies in their focus, scope, and certification processes, though both relate to food production standards.

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The differences

Non-GMO Project Verified is a certification specifically focused on ensuring that a product does not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Non-GMO Project, a nonprofit organization, verifies products through a rigorous process that includes testing ingredients at risk of GMO contamination, tracing supply chains, and ensuring compliance with their standard (e.g., less than 0.9% GMO content allowed). It’s narrow in scope—only addressing GMOs—and doesn’t cover other aspects like pesticide use, soil health, or farming practices. A product can be Non-GMO Project Verified without being organic.

USDA Organic, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a broader certification. It prohibits GMOs as part of its rules, but it also encompasses a wide range of organic farming practices: no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, no artificial additives, and requirements for soil management, animal welfare, and ecological balance. To be labeled “100% Organic” or “Organic” (at least 95% organic ingredients), products must meet these strict federal standards, verified by accredited certifiers. Organic certification inherently includes non-GMO status, but it’s more comprehensive and regulated by law, unlike the voluntary Non-GMO Project label.

Understand the difference

  • Synthetic Pesticides: Allowed in conventional and some Non-GMO Project Verified farming (e.g., Roundup/glyphosate for weed control); banned in USDA Organic to avoid residues.
  • Roundup: Glyphosate-based herbicide used in non-organic and some Non-GMO crops; prohibited in organic farming due to health and environmental concerns.
  • Hexane: Neurotoxic solvent used to extract oils (e.g., soybean, canola) in conventional and Non-GMO processing; not permitted in USDA Organic methods.
  • Sewage Sludge: Treated human waste used as fertilizer in conventional and some Non-GMO farming; banned in organic systems due to risks like heavy metals and pathogens.
  • Antibiotics: Permitted in non-organic livestock and manure-based fertilizers, including some Non-GMO products; prohibited in USDA Organic to prevent resistance.
  • Ractopamine: Growth drug allowed in U.S. conventional and some Non-GMO meat production, banned in many countries; excluded from USDA Organic standards.

Key Difference: Non-GMO Project Verified only ensures no GMOs, while USDA Organic bans all these substances for a broader, stricter standard.