The two labels on food products that indicate whether they are organic and non-GMO are usually found together but aren’t the same.
So, if you’ve ever walked through the grocery store, wondering what the difference was, you’re not alone.
What is the Difference?
When a product is labeled as organic, that automatically lets you know that it is also non-GMO.
GMO stands for genetically modified organisms, and under USDA practices and policies, any food labeled organic is prohibited from using genetically engineered organisms within the food.
This Non-GMO Project logo may look familiar on some of the products you buy at the store!
The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit with the most thorough third-party certification for brands to become certified non-GMO, and to receive this logo.
Earthside Farms has to submit a Certificate of Analysis (COA) by a third party for each ingredient for every product to ensure it complies with Non-GMO standards
Therefore, when you choose organic foods, you’re automatically enjoying a product without GMOs!
So Why Do Organic Foods Also Have Non-GMO Labels?
The difference between the two labels is simple and tells us more about what’s in the food or how it’s processed.
USDA-certified organic food isn’t about the product itself but rather about the entire process each ingredient undergoes to reach the final product.
Anyone can look up the USDA directory to ensure that the product/brand you are buying products from is organic certified.
In addition to the prohibition of GMOs, certified organic simultaneously ensures that biodiversity, farming practices, pesticides, and fertilizer practices are up to code.
On the other hand, when a label is Non-GMO, that refers specifically to the ingredients themselves and whether they were genetically modified for this product. It doesn’t necessarily cover the practices of the growth of the ingredients.
So, if you find brands who choose to apply both labels to the products, it is merely a clarification for consumers.
Why Does A Brand Want to Become Organic or Non-GMO Certified?
Brands strive to receive the organic and non-GMO logo on their product because it can be a selling point of their product they can talk about.
An added benefit is to show both on packaging for consumers so they don’t have to research every brand, but rather see it on the front of the package.
However, it can be expensive for a brand to keep up with these certifications, depending on how many products they have, costing thousands of dollars per year to keep up.
That's why it also costs more, since it takes more to produce them and strict guidelines.
Organic Certification also does an audit every year of every item that was sold that was marked as organic, and if a brand says their product is organic when it's not, it comes with VERY steep fines.
Why Does It Matter?
Whether you're packing snacks for your family, fueling your next adventure, or simply looking for wholesome ingredients, understanding food labels can make shopping easier.
Choosing to eat organic and non-GMO can carry a lot of benefits, including lower exposure to pesticides, fewer additives, and no synthetic fertilizers.
Knowing that certified organic products are also non-GMO means one less thing to decode while reading packaging.
Earthside Farms' Commitment
At Earthside Farms, we are committed to providing high-quality products! Therefore, all of our dried mangoes are certified organic and certified non-GMO.