Non-GMO Project Verified: Pork
This single issue label indicates that pork and its feed are produced in a way that does not use GMOs and minimizes possible cross contamination with GMO-derived products during production. Products and their ingredients are either tested for the presence of DNA from genetically modified organisms or audited to ensure they don’t contain products of genetic engineering.
Because GMOs are so widely used in the food industry, the Non-GMO Project cannot guarantee that products are completely free of GMO residue; however, tested samples of certified feed must routinely contain less than 5% ingredients from GMOs. For ingredients that do not contain enough intact DNA for testing, their production process must be audited to demonstrate low risk of contamination.
Non-GMO is not necessarily organic (though all organic is non-GMO). It also does not address pesticides or other chemicals used in feed or drug use in animals themselves.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Animal Feed Quality
Produced without industrial pesticides
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Access to pasture or forage area
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements*
Prohibits GMOs
*Feed supplements must be non-GMO.
Drug Use
Antibiotics only for sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other drugs to healthy animals
Environmental and Pasture Quality
Pasture management
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Grown without industrial pesticides
Biodiversity required in pasture
Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time
Animal Welfare and Living Conditions
Indoor space requirements
Prohibits long term confinement
Standards for indoor ammonia levels
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Teeth filing and clipping prohibited
Taildocking prohibited
Bedding required for indoor housing
Prohibits slatted flooring in indoor housing
Gestation crates prohibited
Farrowing crates prohibited
Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed
Pasture required throughout grazing/growing season
Worker Welfare
Standards and protections for workers on farm
Standards and protections for workers in processing plants
Fair/living wages ensured
Health care insurance ensured
Food Label Glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.