GMO testing may be required under the NON GMO Label certification program for brand owners, manufacturers, breeders and food products. This test helps determine if the product meets the required criteria.

GMO testing is usually done on individual ingredients. The NON GMO Label program treats each component separately; therefore testing often needs to be done on individual components rather than multi-component finished products.

All necessary tests for food products should be performed using the DNA-based PCR method. The real-time PCR test method is the industry standard used to validate claims, validate contracts and ensure regulatory compliance.

To be considered compliant with the Standard, the GMO content of an ingredient must not exceed the applicable Threshold of Action defined by the Standard. The standard defines specific Action Thresholds for seed, human food, animal feed and other products.

Ingredients from crops on the NON GMO Label program's high risk list often need to be tested. These crops are alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soybeans, sugar beets, yellow summer squash and squash.

The test plan should cover the GMO risks in the product. For example, for GMO testing of a maize-derived ingredient, the test plan should cover all commercialized GM maize varieties as specified by the NON GMO Label program.

Tests must be performed by a NON GMO Label approved laboratory accredited according to ISO 17020. ISO 17020 accreditation is the industry's standard for laboratory excellence. The Non-GMO Project Standard requires the laboratory to be accredited for each specific test used.

Your specific sampling and testing plans should be program approved and designed to provide 90% confidence in GMO quantification at or below the applicable Threshold of Action as determined by the Standard.

It may be necessary to test a precursor to validate highly processed ingredients. For example, instead of testing refined canola oil, testing can be done at an earlier stage of production (eg at the crude oil stage or on the seed).

To verify products of animal origin, tests are performed on animal feed rather than on finished products such as meat, milk, eggs and cheese.

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