Non-GMO Project Verification FAQ
The verification process is a rigorous one, but we’re here to help.
Why should I get my product, ingredient or input Non-GMO Project Verified?
Landing the Butterfly boosts your product's appeal with customers while supporting a natural and genetically diverse supply chain. Research shows that Verified product sales outperform those of products without the Butterfly label, and active promotion of your Non-GMO Project verification can generate a sales increase of up to 20%. Many brands seeking Non-GMO Project verification for their retail products use Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients and inputs to simplify the process. For example, 87% of ingredient suppliers with Non-GMO Project Verified goods say that verification is an essential step to increasing revenue.
The Non-GMO Project Verified seal is the fastest-growing label in the natural products industry, representing about $48.9 billion in annual sales and more than 66,000+ unique-formula products. The Butterfly is North America's most trusted label for GMO avoidance and the most widely recognized food certification after USDA certified organic.
How do I get the Butterfly label on my products, ingredients or inputs?
We work with you every step of the way! The process is the same for brands with retail products as it is for suppliers of wholesale ingredients and inputs — you can learn more about the steps to verification here.
The Non-GMO Project works with four independent technical administrators (TAs) to provide unbiased evaluations of your products. You can choose the TA that best meets your needs, or fill out our Apply for Verification form to connect directly with our staff. We look forward to helping you grow your business while meeting the increasing demand for Non-GMO Project Verified products.
For more information, watch the Non-GMO Project Verification 101 webinar.
How much does Non-GMO Project verification cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of products you wish to submit for verification and whether those products contain any high-risk ingredients, such as corn or soy, which require additional scrutiny. Products are evaluated by one of four independent technical administrators (TAs): FoodChain ID Technical Services, NSF, Where Food Comes From and SCS Global Services. Each TA sets their own price for verification services. We encourage you to explore each TA’s outline of fees on our Technical Administrators page. As of August 1, 2025, the Non-GMO Project verification fee for most products is $115. Certain products may be eligible for reduced fees: The product verification fee for some retail seed companies is $35 and certain meat products may be eligible for a $50 product verification fee. Please note that some TAs offer discounts when services are bundled.
How long does the verification process take?
On average, the process takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the attributes of your product and the speed at which you can submit the required documentation. This process could move more quickly based on ingredients. Some TAs offer expedited services. Reach out to TAs directly for a more accurate timeline.
My brand already uses non-GMO ingredients and our product label indicates this. Why should we get Non-GMO Project Verified?
Reputable certifications matter! Savvy shoppers use labels to find products that align with their values, help them meet their health goals and avoid greenwashing.
Just look at the numbers. Research shows that products with Non-GMO Project verification experience increased sales compared to products with self-made claims or no labeling at all. Over the past 3 years, sales of Non-GMO Project Verified products have increased by approximately 20% to nearly $49 billion — significantly stronger growth than products that don’t carry the Butterfly.
My products are already USDA certified organic. Why should I have my products Non-GMO Project Verified? Doesn’t “organic always mean non-GMO”?
Research indicates that certified organic products show stronger growth when paired with the Butterfly. Here are the top reasons why certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified together make the gold standard for clean labels:
Does the Non-GMO Project Verified seal mean a product is “GMO free”?
No. Unfortunately, "GMO free" and similar claims are not legally or scientifically defensible. The risk of contamination to seeds, crops, ingredients and products is too high to reliably claim that a product is "GMO free." The "Non-GMO Project Verified" label offers a clear and truthful statement acknowledging the risk of contamination and the realities of the current food system, and assures shoppers that the Verified product meets the Project's rigorous Standard. While the Non-GMO Project Verified seal is not a "GMO free" claim, it is trustworthy, defensible and transparent. That's why the Butterfly is North America's only third-party verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
What if my product contains animal-derived ingredients such as meat, eggs, dairy or honey?
If the feed for the animal-derived products contains ingredients from the High-Risk List, such as corn or soy, testing is required. The feed does not need to be Non-GMO Project Verified as long as it meets our testing requirements (though Verified feed certainly speeds up the certification process). If you are a producer of animal products, please check out our industry-specific resources here.
If your product contains honey, we require documentation showing that the 4-mile radius surrounding the beehives is sufficiently free of genetically modified commercial agriculture. For example, the hives can be surrounded by corn, which is high risk, provided the corn is not genetically modified. Any supplemental feed must be compliant with our Standard.
Where can I find a list of Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients and inputs for use in a retail product?
You can find thousands of Non-GMO Project Verified retail products, ingredients and inputs on our Product Finder. To find Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients such as honey or corn starch, use the product name search function and identify the desired ingredient by its name, e.g., “honey” or “corn starch.” Or use the Ingredients & Inputs tab and choose “wholesale ingredients.”
Does becoming Non-GMO Project Verified require testing of every finished product?
Testing finished products is not a reliably accurate measure of GMO presence. Therefore, the Non-GMO Project Standard requires testing of individual ingredients or precursors, not finished products. Ongoing testing is required for all major ingredients derived from high-risk crops. Testing occurs at the most efficient and meaningful point in the production chain, such as during initial processing. Typically, this is where ingredients are least processed (with intact DNA) and consolidated in the largest amounts. From there, traceability and segregation ensure that the tested ingredient maintains its purity. To find out if testing will be required as part of your unique product evaluation, please get in touch with your technical administrator directly.
Once my product, input of ingredient is Verified, how can I use the Non-GMO Project Butterfly seal?
After signing a license agreement with the Non-GMO Project, we will provide you with our trademark artwork for design purposes only. You can use the Non-GMO Project Verified mark on your products once evaluation has been successfully completed.
Do you provide any support once my product is Verified?
Yes! Brands with Verified products benefit from the Project's promotional efforts. We'll add your product and brand logo to the Non-GMO Project Verified Product Finder, an online tool visited by over 10,000 consumers and brands each month. The Product Finder connects your customers to Verified products, ingredients and inputs.
The Non-GMO Project Marketing & Communications team is available to review your marketing materials, help develop your non-GMO messaging and further leverage your verification. Additional customized marketing opportunities are available to showcase your non-GMO commitment. Contact marketing@nongmoproject.org to explore ways to leverage your product's verification.
Where does my Non-GMO Project product verification fee go?
As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, the Non-GMO Project relies on the Product Verification Program fees as its primary source of revenue. PVP fees are used in part to provide education about GMOs and highlight Non-GMO Project Verified products. As an industry leader advocating for GMO transparency, the Project shares research and technical oversight on the changing GMO landscape with thousands of brands and retailers and millions of shoppers and eaters.
What do I need to know about the federal GMO food labeling law?
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) had a mandatory compliance date of January 1, 2022. Many products containing “bioengineered substances” require a disclosure when sold in the United States.
However, the stringent requirements of the Non-GMO Project Standard exceed the NBFDS requirements for avoiding a “bioengineered” disclosure. In addition, the Non-GMO Project has worked closely with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to align the Non-GMO Project Standard with the federal rule, with the intention that Non-GMO Project Verified products not be subject to disclosure.
Overall, the Butterfly label is much more recognizable, building on our decades of consumer trust, rigor and reliability. For more information, read the NBFDS FAQ.
Have another question that you don’t see here? Please contact us.