On the flip side, Non-GMO Verified products only exclude GMO ingredients. Being verified means that the product does not include GMO ingredients but that does not mean the product is free from toxic chemicals such as glyphosate, dicamba or over 700 other chemicals used in conventional food production.
To be verified Non-GMO a product goes through a third-party verification process. This is done through the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization that created its own set of standards. This is different from USDA organic which has strict government regulations that are assessed and altered every few years to ensure that new pesticides are being researched and added to the list of prohibited substances and more environmentally friendly practices are being implemented. The Non-GMO Project tests products and spot checks at different points in the supply chain along with yearly inspections for ongoing compliance. Whereas every organic farm, packing facility, processor, and distributor involved between the farm and market is inspected to verify compliance with the USDA organic regulations. Every organic operation is required to renew its certification each year. During the renewal process, the certified organic operation provides an annual update to the certifier, the inspector conducts an annual on-site inspection, and the certifier reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant still complies with the USDA organic regulations. This process continues as long as the operation is certified.
With over 30,000 on-site inspections per year by certifying agents to monitor compliance with USDA organic standards, consumers purchasing products with the USDA organic label can rest assured that the product has maintained its organic integrity – from farm to table.