Hi Shawn, please reach out to our Customer Service Team so we can better assist you. You can reach them at [email protected] or call 1-800-349-2173. Thank you.
There are differing degrees of organic certification. Some foods may be 100% organic, while other foods may just be made with organic ingredients. Either way, the basic definition of organic means there has been no chemical or artificial ingredients used in the production of the food, including pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, or fertilizers. Organic is also usually non-GMO as well, although there some loopholes that can compromise a foods non-GMO status.
Generally, when you purchase food with a USDA certified organic label, it means that food is 95-100% organic, with ingredients free of well-known contaminants and hormones. It also means that in order for a company to use that USDA certified organic label, they must undergo annual third party inspections and reviews, along with residue testing if inspectors feel the situation warrants it. Thats not to say that there arent some problems with organic labeling. Some foods labeled organic still contain hidden additives that arent organic material. Always do your homework before making decisions that could affect your health.
GMO refers to an organism or food product that has been genetically modified. In other words, it did not develop naturally. When a food claims non-GMO status, they are basically saying they didnt use ingredients that were genetically modified and it doesnt come from livestock that have been fed genetically modified foods. The Non-GMO Project Verified label is applied to products made from ingredients that have been produced in compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard. This organization tests products at different stages in the production process, similar to the testing required for the USDA Certified Organic seal.
However, when even water, which has no genetic material, is labeled non-GMO, that should raise a red flag so that you look a little more deeply at what youre actually purchasing. Additionally, the Non-GMO Project Verified label doesnt mean there are absolutely no GMOs present. It means companies have submitted to the Non-GMO Projects standards and have undergone their testing requirements, but there are still limits to those tests. Products labeled non-GMO could still have up to 0.9 percent genetically modified material.
The biggest takeaway you need to know between organic foods and non-GMO foods is that organic foods are almost always also non-GMO. Almost always, not always. Look for labels that state 100% USDA certified organic if you want to be as sure as possible. However, the same thing cannot be said for non-GMO foods. They are definitely not always organic. Also, there are many companies who use non-GMO labels in a way that is misleading.
Simply saying something is non-GMO doesnt make it so. It doesnt necessarily mean the company isnt being truthful, but obtaining the necessary certifications can be cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller companies. So, sometimes companies will put something on a label that isnt necessarily certified. Also, note that there are other labels that get used often and can be misleading in both the organic and non-GMO camp. Terms like fair-trade, cage-free, all-natural, grown local . . . while they can mean the product is organic and free of GMOs, it doesnt mean thats always the case. Do your due diligence and make sure before you buy.
Since you cant be sure non-GMO foods are always organic, its a much safer bet to shop organic. Then you can be reasonably certain that most of your organic foods will also be free of GMOs as well. Look for the USDA Certified Organic label. Youll notice that products like our Organic 7 Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix and Organic Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats have a little green-and-white label stating USDA Organic.
When shopping, thats the label you should look for. Moral of the story? Yes, organic usually means non-GMO. But be careful, because non-GMO does not always mean organic. Shop wisely.
Hi Shawn, please reach out to our Customer Service Team so we can better assist you. You can reach them at [email protected] or call 1-800-349-2173. Thank you.
I want to buy wheat germ but it doesn’t say organic. There is another company that starts with an L that says it has high protein compared to Bob and it is also organic. Why is the wheat germ not organic or an I missing this? I prefer to buy Bobs but want all the zinc and vitamin and organic and protein this Lekothos company says they have. But both say wheat germ as ingredients.
Hi Jennifer, Our Wheat Germ is discontinued at this time. We hope you find another brand that works for you.
Hi! I really enjoyed learning about the story/history of Bobs Red Mill, beautiful family, and amazing employees! Thank you. I pray and wish 2023 to be an even more successful season for you all! Quick question: Is your stoneground CORN considered Organic or Non-GMO? Do you have genetically modified organisms for the corn meal? The corn meal that says whole grain and stone ground? Just checking on your recent information. Please and thank you. God bless! ✝️ Galatians 5:22-23
Hi Amber, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Have the ingredients in your old country muesli been sprayed with glyphosate during production? Thank you for your time. Gordon Pfeffer
Hi Gordon - No, glyphosate is not used at any point on any of our oats.
It's well known that many (most?) grains are sprayed with glyphosate just before harvest. I notice that you say above that no herbicides were used "during growing", but what about just before harvest, when technically one could say growing has ended? I am going to dig into this further, as there are so many ways of painting a false picture for profit. Can you say that Bob's Red Mill Organic Oats were not sprayed with any herbicides prior to harvest?
Thank you
Hi Tomas, our USDA Organic products are not sprayed with glyphosate or other prohibited herbicides or pesticides during any point of the growing process. You can read more about the regulations in place for USDA Organic items here: Organic Regulations
Your medium yellow corn meal
States organic on the package
It does not state 100 % organic and does have the non gmo cert label on the bag. It is non gmo ? if so why doesn’t have it labeled on the bag
Hi Dar - anything labeled Organic is certified USDA Organic. The cornmeal is non-GMO, but not certified by the Non-GMO Project (a third party). You can read more about it here:
Non-GMO Project and Bob's Red Mill
Hi there- Happy New Year.
I am curious about the use of pesticides in your non-GMO white popcorn kernels. I notice you don't even sell an organic popcorn option. Thank you for attention. Look forward to your follow up.
Hi Jake - for non organic items is it possible that conventional farming practices are used. Our Customer Service team would be happy to help you further. Reach them at 1-800-349-2173 or [email protected]
Thank you for this article. But I am STILL NOT SURE about your products.
Vegi Soup Mix Non-GMO - does this mean ONLY non-gmo and NOT organic?
The products you have LOOK so healthy BUT if its not ALSO organic then its not good for your body. Kinda like diet drinks vs regular.
Tell me some good news
Thank You
Hi Iwa, all of the Bob's Red Mill products are Non-GMO, though not everything is USDA Organic. If it is USDA Organic, it will be clearly labeled as "Organic" on the label. Follow the link below to shop our extensive line of organic products. If you have more questions, feel free to reach us at [email protected]
Shop: Organic
Read more: Non-GMO Project Verified
Hi Anne! Yes, our cornmeal (and every single other product we carry!) is Non-GMO :)
Except the Pea Protein (please see the question above this one)... Right?
Hi Renee--we have discontinued all of our pea protein products.
Your pea protein is listed as non-gmo, but not organic. Can you provide information on pesticide usage with this product?
Hi Joy! That's correct, it's Non-GMO but not Organic. Our Customer Service team is best equipped to answer any other questions you have - they will follow up via email.
I am concerned about the amount of glyphosate in breakfast cereals. Does buying organic ensure that we won’t be consuming glyphosate?
Hi Artman - You're correct, no glyphosate (or other synthetic herbicides or pesticides) is allowed at any point during the growing of USDA Organic foods.
Why are the Bob's Red Mill Organic Steel Cut Oats stated as 1/4 cup (44 grams) contain 5 grams of fiber and your Bob's Red Mill Organic Steel Cut Quick Cooking Oats stated as 1/4 cup (36 grams) provide only 4 grams of fiber.
Hi Virginia, our Organic Steel Cut Oats and Organic Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats both have 4 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup serving. If you have more questions our Customer Service team is happy to help! They can be reached at 1-800-349-2173 or [email protected]
Please, advise if Bob's Red Mill is no longer selling Organic High Fiber Oat Bran? My local grocery and Martins is now carrying one that simply says Non-GMO. Has less fiber and does not say Organic. I have been using Organic/High Fiber one for years. I make muffins and cereal. Cereal's consistency is different. Thank you. SD-PA