The Non-GMO Project
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
The Non-GMO Project firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Non-GMO Project industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The Non-GMO Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Non-GMO Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Most products verification fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Retail seed companies |
| Subscription | Annual | Eligible meat products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Non-GMO Project product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The Non-GMO Project
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Non-GMO Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Non-GMO Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FoodChain ID Technical ServicescoreIndependent 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.
- NSFcoreIndependent 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 FromcoreIndependent technical administrator providing unbiased product evaluations for Non-GMO Project verification. Evaluates products against the Non-GMO Project Standard.
- SCS Global ServicescoreIndependent technical administrator providing unbiased product evaluations for Non-GMO Project verification. Evaluates products against the Non-GMO Project Standard.
- The Natural Grocery CompanycoreOne 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 MarketcoreOne 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 CollectivecoreParent organization referenced as 'Beyond the Butterfly' initiative. Administered the Non-UPF Verified Standard launched in November 2025 for non-ultra-processed foods.
- Sun GheeminorDenver-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
The Non-GMO Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
The Non-GMO Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Non-GMO Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Non-GMO Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Non-GMO Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Non-GMO Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&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
What does The Non-GMO Project do?
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.
Is The Non-GMO Project a public or private company?
The Non-GMO Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Non-GMO Project founded?
The Non-GMO Project was founded in 2007.
Where is The Non-GMO Project based?
The Non-GMO Project is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Non-GMO Project make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Verification Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions.
Who are The Non-GMO Project's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SQF Institute, Rainforest Alliance, BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards), GlobalG.A.P., Fair Trade Certified and USDA Organic (USDA AMS National Organic Program). Direct peers are NSF International, FoodChain ID (formerly Genetic ID), SCS Global Services and Where Food Comes From.
Does The Non-GMO Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Non-GMO Project.
What industry is The Non-GMO Project in?
The Non-GMO Project's product category is Food certification services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAMAB, Non-GMO Verification & Certification Services, with a secondary code of AFALAHAH, GMO/Non-GMO & Bioengineered Disclosure Verification (label compliance support). Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 8734.