New CCOF Certification Seal Highlights Non-GMO Status of Organic Food

Organic is the Champion of Non-GMO: New Label Option Offers Clarity

(March 2, 2015) Santa Cruz, CA – CCOF—the nation’s leader in organic certification, advocacy, and education—offers a new “Non-GMO & More” seal for its certified members. The seal underscores the prohibition of the use of GMOs in organic production and recognizes the many contributions of organic to a healthier world.

CCOF created the “Non-GMO & More” seal to support its certified members and to better communicate with consumers. The use of GMOs is prohibited in organic production and organic certifiers ensure that certified operations avoid contact with GMOs. For example, CCOF conducts GMO testing as part of our Periodic Residue Sampling Program.

“CCOF firmly believes that organic is the champion of non-GMO and is committed to working with the organic community to ensure the integrity of organic food,” stated Philip LaRocca, Chairman CCOF Inc. Board of Directors.

Organic is more than non-GMO because organic production has many other benefits to consumers such as enhancing soil health and biodiversity, supporting animal welfare, and providing traceability of products produced without synthetic fertilizers or persistent pesticides.

CCOF-certified members may use the “Non-GMO & More” seal in any setting where they currently use the CCOF seal.

Organic is non-GMO and more, and CCOF is giving its certified members a clear and concise way to express this to the consumer, policy makers, and others.

For more information see CCOF's GMO Policy Position.

CCOF's "Non-GMO & More" seal is available for download.

About CCOF
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF certifies, educates, advocates, and promotes organic through:

• A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, handlers, and retailers
• Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product and to expand public support for organic agriculture
• Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture
• A dynamic foundation dedicated to investing in the future of the organic movement

CCOF certifies more than 2,700 organic operations in 43 states and four countries.

For further information on CCOF visit: www.ccof.org

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