GMO stands for genetically modified organism. GMOs are living organisms that have had their genetic code modified in some way. It’s important to note that plant and animal genetics have been modified since the dawn of agriculture. Selective breeding, cross pollination, and hybridization are common methods farmers have used to improve their products. GMOs are different in that scientists have picked out a desired trait from one living thing, copied that trait and placed it into another living thing. Most genetically modified crops have had their genes altered to make the plant more resistant to pests and disease; to be able to withstand herbicides; to increase drought tolerance; or to improve nutritional value. You’ll also see GMO technology referred to as gene-splicing, bioengineering, or genetic engineering. Click Here for more information on the history and science of GMOs.

The most common GMO crops are sugar beet, corn, canola, soybean, and cotton.

Note: Despite what you might read, wheat is not commercially available as a GMO. Click Here for more information on GMO crops that are grown and sold in the US.

Yes. Look for the certified organic symbol. Certified organic foods cannot be grown from GMO seeds nor can they contain any other GMO ingredient. The same cannot be said for foods labeled as “natural.”

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard is a national mandatory regulation that requires disclosure on food products containing ingredients that are or may be bioengineered. The regulation became effective January 1, 2020. Food manufacturers and retailers are required to provide the disclosure on products starting January 1, 2022. The Standard defines bioengineered foods as “those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through certain lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature.” Sometimes the terms “bioengineering,” “GMO,” and “genetic engineering” are used interchangeably, but disclosures under the Standard must use the term “bioengineered.”

Some bioengineered ingredients may be processed in such a way that the ingredient no longer contains detectable genetic material, and therefore products containing them would not need to include a bioengineered disclosure statement. For example, soybean oil, if processed in such a way that it no longer contains detectable genetic material, would not be required to include a bioengineered disclosure statement on the product’s label.

Click Here for more information on the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.

Wegmans does not currently offer GMO salmon (sometimes called genetically engineered salmon), nor do we have plans to do so. In addition, our specifications for farm-raised salmon would not allow GMO salmon to be substituted without our knowledge.

The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for assuring the safety of our foods including those produced from genetic engineering (GMOs). Click here to learn more about how the FDA views this technology.

A group of 23 natural/organic food companies banded together to create the non-profit Non-GMO Project. Click here to read about their perspective, along with a complete listing of products that carry their seal.

Six major GMO seed companies will facilitate a response to your question at GMO Answers. Answers are provided by expert members and partners.