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Over the last few years, the growth of the biotechnology industry has rapidly accelerated due in large part to an explosion in start-up companies and venture capital funding. Today, genetic engineering is no longer about a few agrochemical giants manipulating a handful of commodity crops. It’s also about engineering animals, gene-edited crops and novel ingredients brewed in vats in warehouses.
These new GMOs are largely unregulated and unlabeled, and they’re flying under the radar of the natural products industry. What’s more, many new GMOs are being marketed and sold to brands as “non-GMO.”
The Non-GMO Project is committed to keeping you informed so that you can operate with confidence in this new and quickly evolving landscape. Below, we offer resources to help you keep your goods non-GMO — so that you can deliver the natural products your consumers want.
What can you do?
1. Ask the right questions when sourcing ingredients
If you’re a brand or a retailer, ask the right questions of your ingredient suppliers to ensure you’re sourcing non-GMO. What's the easiest way to avoid GMOs? Look for Non-GMO Project Verified products and ingredients!
From where do you source your inputs or ingredients?
Who are your suppliers?
Are you aware of our policy/goal to avoid GMOs?
How does this align with your goals?
Do you have a GMO avoidance policy?
Not all definitions of GMO are the same. Which definition of GMO are your suppliers using? Are you aligned with this goal?
Are you aware that this goal also extends to ingredients produced through fermentation of genetically modified microbes?
Do you know how your ingredients are manufactured?
Do you know where GMOs may be used in the manufacturing of your ingredients?
Do you know if GMOs may be used in the animal feed or the microorganism growth medium?
2. Keep an eye out for these words
Sometimes, these words describe techniques, processes and products of biotechnology. When sourcing, look for these descriptors; they may indicate the presence or use of new GMOs.
Bioactive
Biodesigned
Bioengineered
Bioidentical
Biotechnology/product of biotechnology
Synbio/synthetic biology
Engineered yeast
Animal-free dairy proteins
Not regulated by the US government, so not GMO
Made with yeast, just like beer
Non-transgenic
Not transgenic, so not GMO
Breast milk proteins
Determined to be non-GMO by USDA
Self-made non-GMO claims
3. Download & share this GMO timeline
The GMOs in this timeline are the tip of the iceberg. Still, the downloadable infographic highlights how new GMO development is accelerating and broadening in applications and traits. Please share this resource with your customers and colleagues!
4. Synbio seminars
Watch our series on synthetic biology. Our seminars feature research, ideas, insights and opportunities related to new GMOs and their rapid rise into the supply chain. Join brands, retailers, distributors and industry thought leaders as we take a deep dive into the product categories impacted most by the entrance of new GMOs into our food system.
Dairy Month
Learn about what synthetic GMO dairy is and how to spot it in the market.
Learn more
Plant-Based Month
Plant-Based Eaters Are Increasingly Choosing Non-GMO.
Learn more
Wellness Month
Learn how to spot new GMOs in the wellness space to help your customers find the non-GMO products they want.
Learn more
New GMOs
