Non-GMO Project Verified: Dairy
This single issue label indicates that dairy cow feed is 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
All grass fed
Prohibits animal waste and byproduct
Restricts use of feed supplements*
Prohibits GMOs
*Feed supplements will 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 / rotational grazing plan required
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
Prohibits feedlots
Prohibits long term confinement
Prohibits electric prods
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Pain relief for castration
Prohibits dehorning
Taildocking 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.