Can organic food be GMO?

No, certified organic food cannot be GMO (genetically modified organism). USDA Organic standards strictly prohibit the use of genetically engineered seeds, ingredients, or organisms at any stage of production, processing, or handling.

To earn organic certification, farmers must prove they plant non-GMO seeds, protect crops from cross-contamination by nearby conventional farms, and avoid synthetic pesticides, sewage sludge, and irradiation. Purchasing certified organic products guarantees that the food was grown without genetic modification.