National Non-GMO Month

The month was created in 2010 by the Non-GMO Project, a nonprofit founded in 2006 by a small group of natural foods retailers who wanted a single, trustworthy label for non-GMO products. The project's butterfly verification seal began appearing on products that same year, with early adopters like Numi Organic Tea, and it has since grown into one of the most recognized food certifications in North America.

A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a living thing whose genes have been altered in a laboratory through genetic engineering. GMO foods have been on the market since 1994, when Calgene introduced the Flavr Savr tomato, though mandatory U.S. labeling did not arrive until Congress passed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law in 2016. Today the most common genetically engineered crops in the United States include soybeans, corn, sugar beets, canola, and cotton, many of which become ingredients in packaged foods.

The Non-GMO Project's verification requires producers to meet standards for GMO testing, segregation, and traceability. More than 66,000 products now carry the seal, representing over $45 billion in annual sales, and thousands of retailers take part in October with promotions and educational events. For supporters, the month rests on a simple principle: shoppers have a right to know what is in their food and to choose accordingly.

Observing the month is as easy as reading a label. Look for the butterfly on your next grocery run, explore the Non-GMO Project's resources, or host a potluck featuring verified ingredients and see what conversation starts. However you mark it, October is a good time to shop with your eyes open.