QAI Releases New Organic Certification Mark

San Diego-based Quality Assurance International (QAI), a provider of organic certification services, has launched a new certification mark to help consumers understand that USDA organic certified products are required to be free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Its slogan: “If it’s organic, it’s non-GMO.” 

In a QAI study, 80% of participants said they were unaware that products with the organic seal were also non-GMO. Of survey participants who reported recently shopping at a well-known natural foods store, just 25% recognized organic products as non-GMO. The study suggests many consumers don’t understand organic products are non-GMO and may seek both labels to satisfy their needs.

“What many consumers don’t realize is that the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is strictly prohibited in organic products,” said Tracy Favre, Director of QAI. “By introducing QAI’s new organic certification mark, we hope consumers can more easily identify organic products as also being non-GMO and begin to understand the full value of the USDA organic certification.”
Makers of QAI certified products can choose to use the original QAI mark or the new “If it’s organic, it’s non-GMO” mark. “The optional mark is available for immediate use by new and existing customers. We expect to begin seeing it on organic certified products as early as this summer,” said Favre.

For more information on QAI, visit qai-inc.com.