The Non-GMO Project

What The Non-GMO Project does

The Non-GMO Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 in Bellingham, Washington, that administers North America's most rigorous third-party certification for GMO avoidance. Its flagship offering is the Butterfly Label verification program, which evaluates food, personal care, and animal feed products against the proprietary Non-GMO Project Standard (currently Version 16.1) using a risk-based classification system (High-Risk, Monitored-Risk, Low-Risk) and mandatory PCR testing of high-risk inputs. Verification is delivered through a network of four independent technical administrators—FoodChain ID, NSF, Where Food Comes From, and SCS Global Services—with a standard fee of $115 per product (as of August 1, 2025) plus annual renewals, and reduced rates for retail seed ($35) and eligible meat ($50) products. The Butterfly trademark is the most recognized non-organic food certification in North America, with verified products representing approximately $48.9 billion in annual retail sales across 66,000+ unique-formula products from 5,500+ brands. Supporting programs include the Product Finder (10,000+ monthly consumer visitors), the Retailer Support Program, the Equitable Transfer Program for BIPOC-led brands, and the annual Non-GMO Month awareness campaign.

In November 2025, the organization launched the Non-UPF Verified Standard, a new certification targeting ultra-processed food avoidance, with seven founding brands in the 2025 pilot (Amy's Kitchen, Simple Mills, Spindrift, Chomps, Olyra Foods, YES Bar, Heray Spice) and over 300 brands expressing interest. The Non-UPF program is administered under the Food Integrity Collective, a parent initiative branded 'Beyond the Butterfly' that signals expansion into broader food integrity categories. The organization's go-to-market combines a sales-led brand acquisition process (webinars, direct outreach, and a Get Started application portal), a community-led consumer engagement motion (Non-GMO Month, social media, public comment periods), and a field-style retailer support program (newsletters, signage kits, product code spreadsheets). Revenue derives from per-product verification fees and supplementary donations; the organization is governed by a Board of Directors with Megan Westgate serving as CEO.

Name

The Non-GMO Project

Legal name

The Non-GMO Project

Website

https://nongmoproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Non-GMO Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers North America's most rigorous third-party certification for GMO avoidance, serving 5,500+ brands across 66,000+ verified products via the Butterfly Label program, with a newly launched Non-UPF Verified certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food certification services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Non-GMO Verification & Certification Services (AFALAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

GMO/Non-GMO & Bioengineered Disclosure Verification (label compliance support) (AFALAHAH), Traceability & Chain-of-Custody Certification (Mass Balance, Segregation, Identity Preserved) (AFALAMAK), Food Safety & Quality Scheme Certifications (GFSI Programs) (AFALAMAI), Supplier Approval & Second-Party Audit Programs (Retailer/Brand/Manufacturer) (AFALACAF)

Keywords

• Non-gmo certification
• Product verification services
• Food labeling standards
• Gmo avoidance testing
• Third-party certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Verification Program Fees: The primary revenue source is verification fees charged to brands seeking Non-GMO Project Verified certification. Fees vary by product type and are processed through technical administrators. The organization also generates revenue through annual renewal fees for verified products.
2. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Non-GMO Project relies on donations from supporters. The website includes a donation page and mentions that contributions help fund research, education, and the Equitable Transfer Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Non-GMO Project administers North America's most rigorous third-party certification for GMO avoidance, delivered through its flagship Butterfly label verification program. Brands submit products to one of four independent Technical Administrators who evaluate documentation, traceability, segregation, and high-risk ingredient testing against the Non-GMO Project Standard, followed by annual renewals and continuous random surveillance. In November 2025 the organization expanded into a second certification program, the Non-UPF Verified standard, which evaluates products for non-ultra-processed food status. The organization also operates the online Product Finder database (5,500+ verified brands) and an Equitable Transfer Program that funds BIPOC-led brands pursuing verification.

Product overview

The Non-GMO Project offers North America's most rigorous third-party certification for GMO avoidance, primarily through its flagship Butterfly Label verification program. The organization operates a network of four independent Technical Administrators who evaluate products against the Non-GMO Project Standard, which includes testing of high-risk ingredients, traceability requirements, and annual surveillance. The certification covers food, personal care products, and animal feed across retail products and wholesale ingredients. In November 2025, the organization expanded its portfolio with the Non-UPF Verified certification program to address ultra-processed food concerns. Supporting programs include an Equitable Transfer Program for BIPOC-led brands, a Public Comment platform for standard development, and a retailer support program providing marketing resources. The organization also organizes annual Non-GMO Month celebrations and maintains a Product Finder database with over 5,500 verified brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Non-UPF Verified: A third-party certification program for non-ultra-processed foods launched in November 2025, designed to bring transparency to food processing methods.
• Food Integrity Collective

Products and services

• Non-GMO Project Verification (Butterfly Label) North America's most rigorous third-party certification for GMO avoidance. Products bearing the Butterfly label are evaluated by independent technical administrators against the Non-GMO Project Standard, covering food, personal care products, and animal feed.
• Non-UPF Verified Certification Third-party certification program that identifies products avoiding ultra-processing, evaluating ingredient sourcing and processing methods to bring transparency to food processing.
• Verification Process Services Multi-step certification process delivered through four independent Technical Administrators (FoodChain ID, NSF, Where Food Comes From, SCS Global Services) covering documentation review, testing of high-risk ingredients, and annual renewals.
• Product Finder

Quantifiable outcome

• Verified products experience up to 20% sales increase when actively promoted
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FoodChain ID Technical ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent technical administrator providing unbiased product evaluations for Non-GMO Project verification. Evaluates products against the Non-GMO Project Standard, reviews documentation, facilitates testing, and issues Certificates of Verification.
• NSFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent technical administrator providing unbiased product evaluations for Non-GMO Project verification. Also partnered with Non-GMO Project on Non-UPF certification program launched in 2025.
• Where Food Comes FromcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent technical administrator providing unbiased product evaluations for Non-GMO Project verification. Evaluates products against the Non-GMO Project Standard.
• SCS Global ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent technical administrator providing unbiased product evaluations for Non-GMO Project verification. Evaluates products against the Non-GMO Project Standard.
• The Natural Grocery CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the two founding grocery stores that established the Non-GMO Project in 2007. Both founding stores had spent preceding years helping customers learn about GMOs in the food supply before combining efforts.
• The Big Carrot Natural Food MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the two founding grocery stores (in Toronto, Ontario) that established the Non-GMO Project in 2007. Both founding stores had spent preceding years helping customers learn about GMOs in the food supply before combining efforts.
• Food Integrity CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization referenced as 'Beyond the Butterfly' initiative. Administered the Non-UPF Verified Standard launched in November 2025 for non-ultra-processed foods.
• Sun GheeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDenver-based BIPOC-led brand received funding through Non-GMO Project's Equitable Transfer Program to help achieve Non-GMO Project verification for herbal-infused ghee products. Program supports diversity and transparency in natural food industry.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SQF Institute: GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification widely used by CPG manufacturers and retailers. Comparable as a global food safety certification scheme competing for the same supplier compliance and label real estate.
• Rainforest Alliance: Global third-party sustainability certification with a consumer-facing seal and licensing model similar to the Butterfly. Comparable as an established ethical/sustainability certifier with overlapping CPG brand customers.
• BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards): Global food safety GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme widely adopted by retailers and brands. Comparable as a third-party food safety/quality certification mark competing for the same shelf and supplier compliance budget.
• GlobalG.A.P. Internationally recognized farm-level assurance program covering food safety, sustainability, and traceability. Comparable as a third-party certification body operating a standards-and-label model across agriculture and food.
• Fair Trade Certified: Independent third-party ethical-sourcing certification with a consumer-facing label, recurring brand fees, and category-level governance analogous to the Non-GMO Project's model. Comparable as a values-driven third-party certification mark.
• USDA Organic (USDA AMS National Organic Program): The most recognized food certification in North America, with comparable governance by a standards body, third-party certifiers, and consumer-facing label. A much larger incumbent against which the Butterfly label competes for shelf prominence.

Direct peers

• NSF International: NSF is both a Technical Administrator for the Non-GMO Project and a broader third-party certification body offering food safety, organic, and non-GMO verification programs. Highly comparable as an independent certification provider serving the same CPG brands and retailers.
• FoodChain ID (formerly Genetic ID): FoodChain ID Technical Services is a Non-GMO Project TA and an independent Non-GMO and food integrity testing/certifying body. Closely comparable in core verification services and customer base.
• SCS Global Services: SCS is one of the four Non-GMO Project TAs and independently runs sustainability, food safety, and traceability certifications. Directly comparable as a third-party certification body using the same TA-style delivery model.
• Where Food Comes From: Where Food Comes From is a Non-GMO Project TA and a verification/labeling company focused on food source and production claims. Direct comparable in the third-party verification category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/nongmoproject
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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nongmoproject
• Instagraminstagram.com/nongmoproject
• Pinterestpinterest.com/nongmoproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Non-GMO Project