Did you know that Manitoba Milling Co. Flaxseed is Non-GMO Project Verified? We wanted to go into more detail on what this means so you always know what to expect when purchasing our high-quality flax products!

What are GMOs?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. This is a process that involves identifying a gene that provides a desired trait and inserting it into the DNA of another organism before growing it. Farmers use GMO crops for a variety of reasons including: resistance to insect damage, resistance to plant viruses and tolerance to herbicides among others. 

How is the safety of GMOs evaluated?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) work together to ensure safety for human, plant and animal life while also monitoring impact on the environment. 

This topic can be polarizing, but in general farmers are equipped to choose which method best suits their needs based on the type of crop they are growing. Some consumers wish to avoid to food and products containing genetically-modified ingredients, which is where the Non-GMO Project comes in.

What is the Non-GMO Project?

The Non-GMO Project is a nonprofit organization that offers a third-party verification for consumers looking to avoid products containing GMOs. You might recognize the seal (pictured above) that features a butterfly and can be seen on several products on grocery store shelves.  

Non-GMO Project Verified is the only third-party verification for non-GMO food and products in North America. It’s considered to be the most trusted non-GMO label among consumers and has verified over 50,000 products and over 3,000 brands!

What are the steps to getting verified?

Food companies who wish to use the seal must complete a verification process (which typically lasts 3-6 months) that includes a thorough product evaluation. Verification must then be renewed on an annual basis. 

What does this mean for consumers?

When purchasing groceries, the butterfly seal makes it easy for consumers to quickly and easily identify products that meet the Non-GMO Project Standard for GMO avoidance (note that there is no way to guarantee “GMO-free” ingredients and foods). The Non-GMO Verified seal also helps retailers select products that best fit with their standards and guidelines. 

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Sources:

Non-GMO Project: https://www.nongmoproject.org

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/science-and-history-gmos-and-other-food-modification-processes

https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/how-gmo-crops-impact-our-world