Non-GMO Project
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, and in Turkish, it is referred to as Genetiği Değiştirilmiş Organizma (GDO). When we talk about a genetically modified organism, we refer to a plant, animal, microorganism, or organism that has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering science and technologies. These organisms are combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not naturally occur under natural conditions.
Genetic modification studies affect most of the products that people consume daily. The number of GMOs for commercial use is increasing every day. Therefore, with the NON-GMO project, new standards are being designed to verify that products are not genetically modified.
Four Risk Levels for Determining NON-GMO Products:
Non-Risk Level: These products are not produced from biological organisms, and thus, there is no genetic modification involved.
Monitored Risk Level: The NON-GMO project monitors new products developed. Currently, this number is around 100. Some products at risk due to GMOs include pineapple, wheat, tomatoes, apples, flax, mushrooms, rice, salmon, and sugar cane.
Low Risk Level: These products are produced without including known genetically modified and commercially available organisms. Avocado, tomatoes, spinach, lentils, and sesame are products in the low-risk category.
High Risk Level: These products are produced through processes involving known genetically modified and commercially available organisms. Enzymes, animal products, corn, cotton, potatoes, soy, sugar beet, and alfalfa are among the high-risk products.
The purpose of the NON-GMO label is to indicate that products are made without components derived from genetically modified organisms. If meat, poultry, dairy products, and eggs claim to be NON-GMO, the animals must be fed without genetically modified products.
Benefits of NON-GMO Certification to Businesses:
The NON-GMO label is very important because it provides an environmental and sustainable advantage in both food production and presentation to consumers. Today, even if companies claim their products are GMO-free, it does not mean they have third-party verification. If there is third-party verification and approval, they should obtain a label.
Importance of NON-GMO Certification:
Since 1996, genetically modified organisms have been produced in the USA. Today, a large portion of canola, corn, soybean, and sugar beet seeds produced are genetically modified. These products are also known as herbicide-tolerant products in agriculture. During herbicide use, not only harmful plants but also main crops are affected. However, the purpose of genetic modification here is to make them unaffected by chemical herbicides.
Another feature genetically designed for plants is resistance to harmful insects. The goal is to transfer genes from soil bacteria that produce a protein toxic to insects into plant genes. Thus, plants can produce their own pesticides.
Herbicide tolerance and insect resistance encompass almost all the features of genetically modified products available on the market.
Conclusion:
Today, more than 60 countries worldwide, including European Union countries, Australia, and Japan, require labeling of genetically modified foods. Genetically modified organisms did not have labels in the USA. With the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard published in the USA in December 2018, GMO labeling has started to be mandatory. By 2022, some GMO products will be labeled.
Almost all of the packaged foods made from canola, corn, soy, and sugar beet and the crops grown in North America are genetically modified.
The NON-GMO project also considers apiculture, animal products, and aquatic products to be at risk. Animal feeds are also among the genetically modified components. Honey, seafood, meat, milk, and eggs are affected accordingly.
Consumers today are very careful about what is in their food. Consumers want producers to be more transparent about genetically modified organisms and genetically modified foods. Therefore, certification between producers and retail companies is required.
The NON-GMO certificate helps businesses increase their market share and adapt more easily to new opportunities in the market. Thus, businesses can implement comprehensive risk management and increase consumer confidence. They quickly adapt to changing legal regulations and comply with obligations arising from changes in legal regulations.
