Left Coast Naturals Non-GMO Policy 

Grocery Catalogue

• At Left Coast, we strive to achieve a 100% non-GMO catalogue.
• For the non-GMO products we carry:

o   All products containing ingredients that are defined as high risk crops or monitored crops by the Non-GMO Project Standard must be certified organic, or be non-GMO certified, or be able to furnish lab results providing adequate proof of non-GMO status.

o   Prior to selling any new SKU, organic certification and/or non-GMO status paperwork must be on file.

• For current brands that we find to have GMOs or questionable status, we work with the vendor to develop a plan for them to transition to non-GMO ingredients by the established timeline.
• Our longer-term goal is that any products containing ingredients that are defined as high risk crops or monitored crops by the Non-GMO Project Standard, will obtain non-GMO verification, in addition to being certified organic.

We find it necessary to make a slight change in the way we define genetically modified products in terms of their supply chain:

• Some products, including meat, dairy, eggs, gelatin, honey and yeast, may have an indirect relationship to genetically modified material.

o   In the case of animal products, it is possible that the livestock’s feed was genetically modified.

§ Genetically engineered crops and conventional crops are digested by animals in the same way. Numerous studies have shown no presence of the GMO DNA in question in the by product derived from animals who are fed genetically modified feed.

o   In the case of honey, it is possible that the bees may have pollinated genetically modified plants.

o In the case of yeast, it is possible that the substrate it has been grown upon (sugar beet, etc.) was genetically modified.

o Final products that fit this criteria of having an indirect relationship to GM crops are acceptable under our Non-GMO policy, as of March 28, 2019.

o Any product that may have this indirect relationship to GMOs will be designated as such in our catalog. 

We have decided to accept products with this indirect relationship to GMOs because we recognize that many producers are taking on other important and impactful sustainability initiatives including grass-fed, pasture raised and humane animal farming and we want to support them in their efforts to raise the level of consciousness in our industry. We will also continue to work diligently with these suppliers to help them achieve a Non-GMO supply chain including animal feed and growth substrates.

Grocery Deadlines:

• Items Non-GMO Project Verified indicated in pricelist since February 1st 2014.
• In December 2014, we issued a progress report and look at establishing a timeline for our longer term goal.

Bulk Catalogue:

• Our bulk catalogue is 100% non-GMO since December 31st 2014.
• All products containing ingredients that are defined as high risk crops or monitored crops by the Non-GMO Project Standard must be certified organic, or non-GMO certified, or be able to furnish lab results providing adequate proof of non-GMO status.
• Going forward, we will audit all new products and list no new products that contain GMOs.
• Prior to selling any new SKU, organic certification and or non-GMO status paperwork must be on file.
• For current products that we find to have GMOs or questionable status, we work with the vendor to develop a plan for them to transition to non-GMO ingredients by the deadline.
• Our long term goal is to have any products containing ingredients that are defined as high risk crops or monitored crops by the Non-GMO Project Standard, will obtain non-GMO verification, in addition to being certified organic.

Bulk Deadlines:

• Items Non-GMO Project Verified indicated in pricelist February 1st 2014.
• By December 31st 2014, all products in our bulk catalogue complied with this policy.