Organic and Non-GMO & More seals

Yes! The organic standards do not allow GMOs. If you are CCOF certified, you can use our “Organic is No-GMO & More” seal in addition to other non-GMO language on your labels.

In July 2018, CCOF, Stellar and Demeter announced a partnership to allow organic operations certified by Stellar Certification Services to easily transition their certification to CCOF Certification Services, LLC. On July 31, 2018, Stellar Certification Services ceased to certify organic operations. Stellar is the organic certification sister organization of Demeter USA, the U.S.’ biodynamic certification organization.

We review websites and marketing of CCOF certified operations to ensure that organic claims are truthful and not misleading about the status of organic and nonorganic products. We look for any use of the word “organic” as well as the CCOF logo or USDA seal. Learn more about what CCOF looks for on a website and marketing to help you design a compliant website and prevent consumer confusion.

Like other non-GMO verification programs, non-GMO does not mean GMO-free. The phrase “non-GMO” on certified organic products means that, as required by organic standards, the product was produced without the use of GMOs.

Yes. The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 requires certification agencies to perform residue testing of organic product. Such testing acts as a deterrent to fraud and helps to prove to organic customers that the standards are upheld and that organic really does mean something. CCOF is granted the authority to collect samples for testing by the National Organic Program regulations section 205.670. Refusing to allow the inspector to take samples for testing may result in adverse action against your certification with CCOF.

If you are certified by CCOF, you can use the “Non-GMO & More” seal.

If used on the same panel with the USDA seal, the USDA seal must appear more prominent. When the horizontal version of the "Non-GMO & More" seal is used, prominence is measured by height, and if the vertical version is used, prominence is measured by width. For additional labeling help visit our Labeling and Logos page.

No! Use of this optional seal is included with the standard cost of organic certification.

The way you label your certified organic products will depend on the amount of organic ingredients in them. Most crops and single-ingredient products can be labeled “Organic” and use the USDA seal.

You can find wealth of resources about these topics from both the USDA National Organic Program and CCOF’s strategic partner, the Organic Trade Association, on our Organic is Non-GMO & More page.