Organic certifier BioGro NZ has this month launched a non-GMO certification programme.
As New Zealand's largest organic certifier, BioGro works with more than 700 farmers, growers and manufacturers of organic produce and products throughout the South Pacific.
Chief executive Donald Nordeng recognises the need for transparency, not only for certified organic products, but also those claiming to be free of genetically modified organisms (GMO).
He says BioGro recently led a World Of Good Campaign, to get consumers to look for certification logos when purchasing their products, and it continues to encourage this beyond organic certification.
"Consumers actively look for products that are non-GMO, due to the associated risks that come with genetic modification - yet there were no New Zealand programmes available," Mr Nordeng says.
"It's not often known but, if you are certified organic, you already have the procedures in place to hold non-GMO certification. This programme, and the associated logos will show consumers that they can trust a product is authentic."