The organic food industry is feeling threatened by a new label on the shelf: “Non-GMO Project Verified.” Organic farmers and manufacturers told NPR that they’re afraid customers don’t realize that non-GMO foods can still be grown with conventional methods, including chemical sprays and synthetic fertilizers.
“It’s a little frustrating, to be honest,” says Jesse LaFlamme, CEO and owner of Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs. “OK, it’s great that there’s a non-GMO symbol on there. But do you understand that that product might have been produced with pesticides, antibiotics, and with no regard for animal welfare?”
While organic sales continue to rise, the “Non-GMO Project Verified” label is seeing even faster pick-up on the market. Megan Westgate, the executive director of the Non-GMO Project, said the group has seen “exponential growth” since launching in 2010, moving from $7 billion in annual sales two years ago to $16 billion today. Part of the label’s success is that non-GMO products are often cheaper than organic, since the former can still be produced using less expensive—and more chemical-dependent—methods. Some organic advocates also fear that because their own movement’s message covers everything from soil health to the treatment of animals, it’s harder for customers to digest. Simply saying “non-GMO” is an easier pitch.