With new products appearing in grocery stores all the time, it can be hard to tell which are GMOs and which aren't. The truth is, many innovative or unusual foods are proudly non-GMO — and some are even Non-GMO Project Verified.
Here's a look at some of the most popular non-GMO foods that are often mistaken for GMOs.
Traditionally bred crops vs. GMOs: What's the difference?
The biggest takeaway here is simple: Traditional breeding and selection techniques do not result in GMOs. GMOs are created through biotechnology, which involves in vitro nucleic acid techniques or cell fusion beyond the taxonomic family. In simpler terms, this means that GMOs aren’t created by traditional breeding, like crossing two related plants or animals. Instead, scientists use modern lab methods to directly alter DNA or combine genes from very different species — combinations that don't occur naturally.
| Traditional breeding and selection | Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) |
|---|---|
| Created through breeding and selection methods that combine natural processes with human expertise. | Created through biotechnology, which involves manipulating the genetic material of an organism to change its fundamental characteristics. |
| Techniques include cross-pollination, grafting and even some lab-based techniques — but not biotechnology. | Techniques include in vitro nucleic acid techniques or combining genetic material from different species in ways that overcome natural reproductive barriers. |
| Techniques have been practiced for ~12,000 years. | Techniques have been practiced since the 1970s. |
| Examples: Hybrid fruits such as plums crossed with apricots (pluots) or cherries (Verry cherry), or Cavendish bananas (commonly sold in grocery stores). | Examples: Corn with bacterial genes that produce an insecticide, or fast-growing Atlantic salmon with genes from Chinook salmon and ocean pout. |
As long as in vitro nucleic acid techniques or cell fusion beyond the taxonomic family are not used, the resulting plant or food product is not a GMO. You can learn more on our webpage, What Is a GMO?
"Is this a GMO?!" Misconceptions about common foods
Some of the foods we see every day are tragically misunderstood. These popular non-GMO foods are frequently mistaken for GMOs:
- Seedless grapes — Seedlessness in grapes is the result of a natural mutation, not genetic engineering. Thompson grapes, the most common seedless grape variety, have been around since the Ottoman Empire, long before biotechnology existed.
- Seedless watermelons — Seedless watermelons are created through cross-breeding combined with chemical-induced mutagenesis. A young watermelon plant is treated with chemicals to double its chromosome count, then crossed with a regular plant. The resulting fruit has an uneven chromosome count, which makes it seedless.
- Non-browning apples — Some apples that resist browning are genetically engineered, and some are non-GMO. For example, Non-GMO Project Verified Opal apples are created through traditional cross-breeding, not genetic engineering. These crisp, sweet and slightly tangy apples have naturally low levels of the enzyme that causes browning. However, don’t confuse Opal apples with the GMO Arctic Apple, which is genetically engineered to resist browning. Arctic Apples currently come in Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Fuji varieties. An Arctic Gala apple has been approved for commercial production in the US and Canada, and the Arctic Apple's developers are planning to release more varieties.
- Modified corn* starch — In this instance, the word “modified” does not mean genetically modified. Instead, it refers to physical or chemical processing that changes the starch’s properties for cooking and food production. These changes do not involve biotechnology, so the result is not a GMO.
- Novelty produce — Bite-sized produce like baby carrots, baby corn and mini clementine oranges do not use genetic engineering to stay small. Baby corn* is harvested early when the ears are still small and the cobs are tender. Baby carrots start as regular-sized carrots, which are whittled down. Mini clementine oranges, such as Non-GMO Project Verified Cuties, are the result of traditional breeding.
(Note: *Products derived from corn present a GMO risk because over 90% of US-grown corn is genetically modified. To ensure products made from corn are truly non-GMO, look for the Butterfly, which guarantees the product meets the rigorous Non-GMO Project Standard. You can learn more on our webpage, Understanding Risk Status).
Non-GMO options (without the guesswork)
If you're confused about whether a food is a GMO or not? The easiest way is to look for the Butterfly logo on the packaging. The Non-GMO Project Product Finder lists thousands of Verified products so you can shop with confidence. For a deeper dive on GMO fruits and vegetables in development, check out our Produce Pocket Guide.
FAQ
Are seedless fruits GMOs?
Most seedless fruits, such as grapes and watermelons, are developed using traditional breeding or natural mutations, rather than biotechnology. There are some seedless GMOs in development, but they are not yet commercially available (we'll keep you posted).
What is the difference between traditional breeding and GMOs?
Traditional breeding involves pairing two compatible plants to create a new variety, a natural process influenced by human intervention. GMOs, on the other hand, are made by applying biotechnology techniques to change an organism's fundamental characteristics. Biotechnology involves using in vitro nucleic acid techniques to manipulate an organism's DNA or to combine genetic material in ways that overcome natural reproductive barriers. For more, visit What Is a GMO?
Are Opal apples non-GMO?
Yes! Opal apples are produced through cross-breeding, not genetic engineering, and are Non-GMO Project Verified.
Does “modified” always mean GMO?
No. The term “modified” means processed or changed in some way that makes it more useful (i.e., modified corn starch); however, "genetically modified" refers to a GMO.