Non GMO - Self Declared is one of the declarations under the Ekko Score Organic - Chemical Free Standard.
Genetically modified (GM) food refers to genetically engineered food plants. This practice is intended to improve the performance or production qualities of a plant, or to reduce loss of food/crops to natural pests such as insects. Critics are concerned that genetic engineering poses a potential risk of biological disaster from unexpected side-effects, and gives bio-engineering companies too much power over our food supply and the natural world.
Genetically modified (GM) foods continue to raise concern amongst some consumers regarding the impact on the environment as well as human and animal health. While there is significant debate about whether GMO food is dangerous or not, what is clear is that food or products that are not GMO are not GMO and consumers are entitled to know the difference.
Non GMO - Self Declared sits in the CHEMICAL & GMO Family under the Environmental Standard: Organic - Chemical Free of Ekko Score. One set of weighted Ekko Score points are gathered from each Family.
These are the claimable declarations & certifications under the Environmental Standard: Organic - Chemical Free . Please note that different certifications and declarations may be relevant to each category.
Yes, where the impact of the claim is similar. This is how it works.
IMPORTANTLY, SELF DECLARATIONS ARE GOVERNED BY CONSUMER LAW. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR BUSINESSES TO MAKE FALSE CLAIMS (INCLUDING IMPLIED CLAIMS IN A CONTEXT LIKE EKKO SCORE).
EVEN IF A PRODUCT HAS A FORMAL CERTIFICATION, THAT CERTIFICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ENTIRE INTEGRITY OF THE PRODUCT'S MAKE UP.
An example might be a Handmade, Australian, Certified Organic chocolate that contains Palm Oil. Under Ekko Score, this product would claim Certified Organic and would self declare: Zero Waste Production and Australian made, but could not claim the No Palm Oil declaration. This would mean a lower score under the Organic - Chemical Free Standard, making the inclusion of Palm Oil clear to potential consumers, without detracting from its other assets.
No product is perfect, but some products are definitely better than others. Ekko Score allows you to make the best decision you can, or to put it another way, the least worst decision. And to make that decision with the confidence of not being green washed. Find out more about how Ekko Score works.