--- title: The Difference Between USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verification? description: Comparing the Non-GMO Project with the USDA Organic Seal -- they're both quality seals with similar processes, but they represent two different things. image: http://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hub/260019/file-2637007066-jpg/images/Social-Media/social-suggested-images/non-gmo_wide-1a3fdb02423bde103fe5a9a9c6333a178feba6cb.jpg --- [![Centra Foods | Simply Authentic](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/file-339185492-png/images/centra-logo.png?width=487&height=64&name=centra-logo.png "Centra Foods | Simply Authentic")](https://www.centrafoods.com) [Bulk Oil Blog](http://centrafoods.com/blog) # [The Difference Between USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verification?](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/the-difference-between-usda-organic-and-non-gmo-project-verification) Posted by [Hannah Broaddus](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/author/hannah-broaddus) April 11, 2016 at 6:30 AM The USDA Organic and the Non-GMO Project Verification are two distinctly different quality seals, though they both address somewhat related quality control concerns.   ## The USDA Organic Seal ![USDA Organic Seal](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hub/260019/file-853117599-jpg/images/Blog-Images/blog59-USDA-Organic-Logo.jpg?width=204&name=blog59-USDA-Organic-Logo.jpg "USDA Organic Seal")The [USDA Organic Seal](http://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program) is the quality assurance program that is run by the United States Department of Agriculture as a part of the national organic program (also known as the NOP).  It is a traceability certification that proves that a manufacturer or supplier has documented and ensured that all of their inputs are organic, as well as that they have a facility that has been set up to ensure traceability and avoid cross contamination.    ## Non-GMO Project Verification ![Non-GMO Project](https://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Non-GMO-Project-Logo2.gif?width=700&name=Non-GMO-Project-Logo2.gif "Non-GMO Project") The Non-GMO Project Verified™ seal is offered by the [Non-GMO Project](http://www.nongmoproject.org/), an independent non-profit verifier.  By applying their seal to a product, they aim to show which products have used industry best-practices for GMO avoidance.  Their seal helps consumers to understand which products have been documented to use best non-gmo practices, and which may still be using unverified, conventional or genetically modified ingredients.   ## The Similarities Between The Two Seals Both quality seals relate to issues of quality, traceability and cross contamination.  They also each include three primary systems that they review: 1. Ingredients / Supply Chain 2. Facility / Manufacturing 3. Product Packaging   ### Ingredients / Supply Chain Both seals will need to see documentation that proves that all of your ingredients are either organic or non-gmo.  They will also need to see documentation from your suppliers with information on every input, including packaging and raw ingredients.   ### Facility / Manufacturing Both seals will require a facility audit that will review your written policies concerning health and safety, as well as review your traceability and cross contamination prevention practices that you have in place.  They will review your production lines and make sure that everything in your warehouse is “up to snuff”.  You’ll need to have detailed written procedures already in place that include lot coding for all incoming ingredients and packaging, as well as all outgoing products.  The organic certification seal will also require that you use only organic-approved cleaning supplies and production equipment.   ### Product Packaging ![Non-GMO Project Verified](http://www.centrafoods.com/hs-fs/hub/260019/file-2637007066-jpg/images/Social-Media/social-suggested-images/non-gmo_wide-1a3fdb02423bde103fe5a9a9c6333a178feba6cb.jpg?width=700&name=non-gmo_wide-1a3fdb02423bde103fe5a9a9c6333a178feba6cb.jpg "Non-GMO Project Verified") Both seals will require that your marketing team makes proper use of their seal on any product packaging.  They will want to confirm that the correct colors and minimum size of their logo is used, and that any other quality-related wording is correct. On the organic packaging, you’ll need to make sure that the “certified organic by…” statement is worded correctly and in the right place, and that you use the correct organic wording on the front and on the ingredient statement (100% certified organic, certified organic, or made with organic ingredients).  On the non-gmo packaging, you’ll also need to make sure that you use only approved wording (for example, you can’t say “GMO-Free”).   ## Organic = Non-GMO But Non-GMO ≠ Organic Keep in mind that products that are organic certified are automatically non-GMO (by definition, organic products can not contain GMO ingredients), but non-GMO products are* not *automatically organic.  This doesn't mean that they're Non-GMO Project Verified™ automatically -- just that they won't contain GMOs. Therefore, if you are certified organic, it will be much easier to become Non-GMO Project Verified™, because you should already have the traceability measures in place that you will need.     Topics: [Organic](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/organic), [Quality Control](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/quality-control), [Non-GMO](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/non-gmo) ### Don't Forget to Share! [Share via Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-usda-organic-and-non-gmo-project-verification) [Share via Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-usda-organic-and-non-gmo-project-verification&text=The+Difference+Between+USDA+Organic+and+Non-GMO+Project+Verification%3F) [Share via Email ](mailto:?subject=The+Difference+Between+USDA+Organic+and+Non-GMO+Project+Verification%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-usda-organic-and-non-gmo-project-verification) [Share via LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.centrafoods.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-difference-between-usda-organic-and-non-gmo-project-verification&title=The+Difference+Between+USDA+Organic+and+Non-GMO+Project+Verification%3F&summary=Comparing+the+Non-GMO+Project+with+the+USDA+Organic+Seal+--+they%27re+both+quality+seals+with+similar+processes%2C+but+they+represent+two+different+things.)   #### Related Articles #### ↓ [Non-GMO](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/non-gmo) Quality seals are an important part of the food industry, and whether you love them or hate them, consumers generally consider “the more the better” to be true. In... [Non-GMO](https://www.centrafoods.com/blog/topic/non-gmo) If you thought that the infamous butterfly seal was everywhere, be assured that the “quality seal” market for non-GMO products is only growing and diversifying. 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