Beer, wine and liquor products are accepted into the NON GMO certification program. Verifying these products is no more complicated than verifying products in other categories.

There is a significant and growing risk of GMOs in many alcohol product supply chains, particularly whiskey, vodka and other beverages commonly made with corn.

Since roughly 90 percent of the corn grown is genetically modified, the corn used to distill whiskey is increasingly coming from GMO sources.

Genetically modified potatoes have also become widely commercially available over the past few years, which may have the potential to impact certain liquor supply chains in the future.

Many leading beverage companies have responded to this growing threat by making non-GMO claims. But still, many of them are not certificate-backed claims. Therefore, they cannot be considered non-GMO.

Entries on the high risk list found in the NON GMO certification program are subject to additional requirements at the time of assessment.

High-risk entries in alcohol products tend to appear in three categories:

Fermentation medium: Products fermented to produce alcohol may have GMO risks. Sugar from corn, potatoes, honey and sugar beets is at high risk for genetic modification.

Added ingredients: Inputs such as flavorings and colorants added after fermentation will also be reviewed during the evaluation process. Additives such as milk, honey, and papaya are also somewhat common GMO risks in alcohol products.

Microorganisms and enzymes: Yeast is a microorganism and therefore a high-risk input.

All microorganisms, including fermentation microbes, must be non-GMO and must be accompanied by a statement confirming their non-GMO status. Microorganisms are not eligible for the micro exemption; they should always be non-GMO.

Do not hesitate to contact our expert team to get detailed information about the GMO Free and NON GMO label and certification, or to apply for certification.